Poem A Day

Classic poem

Sonnet XX: An Evil Spirit

by Michael Drayton

An evil spirit, your beauty haunts me still,

Wherewith, alas, I have been long possest,

Which ceaseth not to tempt me to each ill,

Nor gives me once but one poor minute's rest;

In me it speaks, whether I sleep or wake,

And when by means to drive it out I try,

With greater torments then it me doth take,

And tortures me in most extremity;

Before my face it lays down my despairs,

And hastes me on unto a sudden death,

Now tempting me to drown myself in tears,

And then in sighing to give up my breath.

Thus am I still provok'd to every evil

By this good wicked spirit, sweet angel-devil.

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Public domain/Source

About this poem

First line
An evil spirit, your beauty haunts me still,
Poet
Michael Drayton
Themes
love, death, beauty, solitude

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