You ask me, Phillis, why I still pursue,
And court no other nymph but you;
And why with looks and sighs i still betray
A passion which I dare not say.
Tis all, because I do: you ask me why,
And with a woman's reason, I reply.
You ask what argument I have to prove,
That my unrest proceeds from love,
You'll not believe my passion till you know,
A better reason why 'tis so.
Then, Phillis, let this reason go for one,
I know I love because my reason's gone.
You say a love like mine must needs declare
The object so beloved not fair;
That neither wit nor beauty in her dwell,
Whose lover can no reason tell,
What 'tis that he adores, and why he burns:
Phillis, let those give such that have returns.
And by the very reasons that you use,
Damon might justly you accuse;
Why do you scorn, and with proud disdain
Receive the vow, and slight the swain?
You say you cannot love, you know no cause:
May i not prove my love by your own laws?
Am not I youthful, and as gay a swain,
As e'er appeared upon the plain?
Have I not courted you with all th' address
An am'rous shepherd could profess?
And add to this, my flocks and herds are great,
But Phillis only can my joy complete.
Yet you no reason for your coldness give,
And 'tis but just you should believe
That all your beauties unadorned by art,
Have hurt and not obliged my heart.
Be kind to that, my hearty vows return
And then I'll tell you why, for what I burn.
I am busy working to bring Aphra Behn's "For Damon, being asked a Reason for his Love" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you soon.
At V2Melody, each arrangement is crafted with care through a thoughtful partnership of human artistry and technological innovation. This process involves:
This creative journey takes time—each composition represents hours of dedicated work to create something that deepens our connection to Aphra Behn's words in meaningful ways.
While you wait for the complete interpretation, I invite you to explore other musical arrangements in my gallery or learn more about Aphra Behn's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "For Damon, being asked a Reason for his Love" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.