Non Sum Qualis Eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae E-book

                                      1896 

                  NON SUM QUALIS ERAM BONAE SUB REGNO CYNARAE

                                by Ernest Dowson








Electronically Enhanced Text (c) Copyright 1996, World Library(R)



NON SUM QUALIS ERAM BONAE SUB REGNO CYNARAE
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        Last night, ah, yesternight, betwixt her lips and mine
        There fell thy shadow, Cynara! thy breath was shed
        Upon my soul between the kisses and the wine;
        And I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
          Yea, I was desolate and bowed my head:
        I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
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        All night upon mine heart I felt her warm heart beat,
        Night-long within mine arms in love and sleep she lay;
        Surely the kisses of her bought red mouth were sweet;
        But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
          When I awoke and found the dawn was gray:
        I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
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        I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind,
        Flung roses, roses, riotously with the throng,
        Dancing, to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind;
        But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
          Yea, all the time, because the dance was long:
        I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
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        I cried for madder music and for stronger wine,
        But when the feast is finished and the lamps expire,
        Then falls thy shadow, Cynara! the night is thine;
        And I am desolate and sick of an old passion,
          Yea, hungry for the lips of my desire:
        I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
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                               THE END