“To Lucasta, not Going to the Wars” (with apologies to Richard Lovelace)

(First appeared in English Studies Forum)

Outside are danger, war, and death,
And I could go to fight.
I could go out upon the hill
Or stay with you tonight.

I could go out to save the world
As evil does its worst.
I could go out to save my soul,
Or I could put you first.

The world well lost, my honor, too.
Indeed, I must confess
I could not love thee, dear, so much,
Loved I not honor less.

— Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Providence-based poet and Brown University philosophy professor

Richard Lovelace (1618 -1657) was an English Cavalier poet who fought for King Charles I during the English Civil War. His best known works are "To Althea, from Prison" and "To Lucasta, Going to the Warres".