Classic Poem

CONCERNING THE SAME OCCASION

My fortunes come upon me late and slow —
Hope is uncertain, passions mount and swell;
Suspense and expectation both rebel —
But swifter to depart than tigers go.
Tepid and black, alas, shall turn the snow,
Waveless the sea, the fish on mountains dwell,
The sun sink in the East, by that same well
Whence both the Tigris and Euphrates flow,
Ere I in this find peace or any truce,
Ere Love or Laura other habits use
Than these conspiracies and cruel snares:
After such bitters, if some sweet occurs,
Deprived by fasts, my tongue such food must spurn —
No further graces shall I ever earn.