| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester. 1647–1680 |
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| 413. Return |
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| ABSENT from thee, I languish still; | |
| Then ask me not, When I return? | |
| The straying fool 'twill plainly kill | |
| To wish all day, all night to mourn. | |
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| Dear, from thine arms then let me fly, | 5 |
| That my fantastic mind may prove | |
| The torments it deserves to try, | |
| That tears my fix'd heart from my love. | |
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| When, wearied with a world of woe, | |
| To thy safe bosom I retire, | 10 |
| Where love, and peace, and truth does flow, | |
| May I contented there expire! | |
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| Lest, once more wandering from that heaven, | |
| I fall on some base heart unblest; | |
| Faithless to thee, false, unforgiven— | 15 |
| And lose my everlasting rest. | |
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