Love Armed
By Aphra Behn
Song from Abdelazar
Love in Fantastic Triumph sat, *personification
Whilst Bleeding Hearts around him flowed, *note how “Love” is masculine
For whom Fresh pains he did Create,
And strange Tyrannic power he showed; *control/ manipulation
From thy Bright Eyes he took his fire,
Which round about, in sport he hurled;
But ’twas from mine he took desire
Enough to undo the Amorous World.
From me he took his sighs and tears, *anaphora “from”=
From thee his Pride and Cruelty; “Love” as parasitic/ a taker
From me his Languishments and Fears,
And every Killing Dart from thee;
Thus thou and I, the God have armed, *she admits complicity/ blame
And set him up a Deity;
But my poor Heart alone is harmed,
Whilst thine the Victor is, and free. *lexical field of battle
By Aphra Behn
Song from Abdelazar
Love in Fantastic Triumph sat, *personification
Whilst Bleeding Hearts around him flowed, *note how “Love” is masculine
For whom Fresh pains he did Create,
And strange Tyrannic power he showed; *control/ manipulation
From thy Bright Eyes he took his fire,
Which round about, in sport he hurled;
But ’twas from mine he took desire
Enough to undo the Amorous World.
From me he took his sighs and tears, *anaphora “from”=
From thee his Pride and Cruelty; “Love” as parasitic/ a taker
From me his Languishments and Fears,
And every Killing Dart from thee;
Thus thou and I, the God have armed, *she admits complicity/ blame
And set him up a Deity;
But my poor Heart alone is harmed,
Whilst thine the Victor is, and free. *lexical field of battle
