To Lucasta, Going to the Warres

"To Lucasta, Going to the Warres" is a 1649 poem by Richard Lovelace. It was published in the collection Lucasta by Lovelace of that year. The initial poems were addressed to Lucasta, not clearly identified with any real-life woman, under the titles "Going beyond the Seas" and "Going to the Warres", on a chivalrous note.

Text
"Tell me not, (sweet,) I am unkinde,  That from the nunnerie Of thy chaste breast and quiet minde    To warre and armes I flie.

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

Yet this inconstancy is such, As you too shall adore; I could not love thee, dear, so much, Lov'd I not Honour more."