Down, wanton, down! Have you no shame <br />That at the whisper of Love's name, <br />Or Beauty's, presto! up you raise <br />Your angry head and stand at gaze? <br /> <br />Poor bombard-captain, sworn to reach <br />The ravelin and effect a breach-- <br />Indifferent what you storm or why, <br />So be that in the breach you die! <br /> <br />Love may be blind, but Love at least <br />Knows what is man and what mere beast; <br />Or Beauty wayward, but requires <br />More delicacy from her squires. <br /> <br />Tell me, my witless, whose one boast <br />Could be your staunchness at the post, <br />When were you made a man of parts <br />To think fine and profess the arts? <br /> <br />Will many-gifted Beauty come <br />Bowing to your bald rule of thumb, <br />Or Love swear loyalty to your crown? <br />Be gone, have done! Down, wanton, down!<br /><br />Robert Graves<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/down-wanton-down/
