What Is Love?

Ernest DowsonErnest Dowson

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What is Love?
Is it a folly,
Is it mirth, or melancholy?
    Joys above,
Are there many, or not any?
    What is Love?     If you please,
A most sweet folly!
Full of mirth and melancholy:
    Both of these!
In its sadness worth all gladness,
    If you please!     Prithee where,
Goes Love a-hiding?
Is he long in his abiding
    Anywhere?
Can you bind him when you find him;
    Prithee, where?     With spring days
Love comes and dallies:
Upon the mountains, through the valleys
    Lie Love's ways.
Then he leaves you and deceives you
    In spring days.
Ernest Dowson
About the poet

Ernest Dowson

1867 - 1900/EnglishErnest Christopher Dowson (2 August 1867-23 February 1900), English poet, born at Lee south-east of London. He died in London. He was a member of the Rhymer's Club, which included W. B. Yeats and Lionel Johnson. In 1891 Dowson fell in love…

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