To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars

To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars
by Richard Lovelace

Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind,
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To war and arms I fly.

True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconsistency is such
As you too shall adore;
I could not love thee, dear, so much,
Loved I not honor more.

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