To Lucasta

To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars

Richard Lovelace, 1640

Tell me not (Sweet) I am unkind,
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To war and arms I fly.

True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconstancy is such
As you too shall adore;
I could not love thee (Dear) so much,
Lov’d I not Honour more.

Richard Lovelace (1618-c.1658)

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To Lucasta, Returning from the Wars, 2017

For Love to flourish, it must be pruned
Thus, to a man comes after Honor
As Death no matter pain and wounds
Should always come before Dishonor

Ioannis Katis 09/01/17