Farewell to the Court

Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh 1554–1618

Like truthless dreams, so are my joys expir'd, And past return are all my dandled days; My love misled, and fancy quite retir'd-- Of all which pass'd the sorrow only stays.

My lost delights, now clean from sight of land, Have left me all alone in unknown ways; My mind to woe, my life in fortune's hand-- Of all which pass'd the sorrow only stays.

As in a country strange, without companion, I only wail the wrong of death's delays, Whose sweet spring spent, whose summer well-nigh done-- Of all which pass'd only the sorrow stays.

Whom care forewarns, ere age and winter cold, To haste me hence to find my fortune's fold.

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