You charm'd me not with that fair face
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Born in Northamptonshire into a political Puritan family, poet, playwright, and critic John Dryden was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge.
. . . MORE »By John Dryden
You charm'd me not with that fair face
Though it was all divine:
To be another's is the grace,
That makes me wish you mine.
The Gods and Fortune take their part
Who like young monarchs fight;
And boldly dare invade that heart
Which is another's right.
First mad with hope we undertake
To pull up every bar;
But once possess'd, we faintly make
A dull defensive war.
Now every friend is turn'd a foe
In hope to get our store:
And passion makes us cowards grow,
Which made us brave before.