A lover prayed to Eros in this wise:- <br /> <br />Since my love loves not me, Eros! I pray <br />That thou wilt take this torturing love away. <br />But since she is so fair, still let mine eyes <br />Unloving, joy in her, her beauty prize; <br />Still let her clear voice ring as pure and gay <br />To my calm heart as mating birds in May. <br />The words went up the blue Thessalian skies. <br /> <br />But ere they reached the high god's golden seat, <br />The lover to retract his prayer was fain: <br /> <br />Nay, let me keep the bitter with the sweet, <br />Better than placid bliss is love's dear pain. <br />My love I'll hold and cherish though it prove <br />More blighting than the frowning brows of Jove.<br /><br />John Hay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-prayer-in-thessaly/
