Love and Hate

Hate only will I love,
  Love I will set aside,
The misery of love
  Too many a heart has tried.

My scorn upon the thing
  That such vain grief began
And many a good man made
  Into a sick man.

Even when it goes too far
  Hate’s the better part,
One can bid Hate pack,
  Who can bid love depart?

Hate is healthy fare
  That leaves the body sound,
Nor herb nor medicine cures
  Love’s bitter wound.

Once I saw a girl
  Choose a man in play;
Love he never knew
  To his dying day.

I whate’er befall
  Know a better fate—
This is all my song,
  I will love only hate.


Source: O'Connor, Frank (tr); Kings, Lords, & Commons: An
Anthology from the Irish; 1962; London; Macmillan & Co; p.62