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To This Moment A Rebel

By John Wilmot

Topics: classic

To this moment a rebel I throw down my arms, Great Love, at first sight of Olinda's bright charms. Make proud and secure by such forces as these, You may now play the tyrant as soon as you please. When Innocence, Beauty, and Wit do conspire To betray, and engage, and inflame my Desire, Why should I decline what I cannot avoid? And let pleasing Hope by base Fear be destroyed? Her innocence cannot contrive to undo me, Her beauty's inclined, or why should it pursue me? And Wit has to Pleasure been ever a friend, Then what room for Despair, since Delight is Love's end? There can be no danger in sweetness and youth, Where Love is secured by good nature and truth; On her beauty I'll gaze and of pleasure complain While every kind look adds a link to my chain. 'Tis more to maintain than it was to surprise, But her Wit leads in triumpth the slave of her eyes; I beheld, with the loss of my freedom before, But hearing, forever must serve and adore. Too bright is my Goddess, her temple too weak: Retire, divine image! I feel my heart break. Help, Love! I dissolve in a rapture of charms At the thought of those joys I should meet in her arms.

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"To this moment a rebel I throw down my arms,..."

Exploring the themes of classic, John Wilmot delivers a powerful performance in "To This Moment A Rebel"... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

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Author:John Wilmot

"To this moment a rebel I throw down my arms,..." by John Wilmot

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John Wilmot

About John Wilmot

John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester (1647–1680), was an English poet and courtier known for his satirical and libertine verse. His poems—including "A Satire Against Reason and Mankind" and "The Imperfect Enjoyment"—combine intellectual brilliance with provocative honesty.

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