The Excuse, written by Sir Walter Raleigh in his younger years

CALLING to mind, my eyes went long about

To cause my heart for to forsake my breast,

All in a rage I sought to pull them out,

As who had been such traitors to my rest:

What could they say to win again my grace?—

Forsooth, that they had seen my mistress’ face.

Another time, my heart I called to mind,—

Thinking that he this woe on me had brought,

Because that he to love his force resigned,

When of such wars my fancy never thought:

What could he say when I would him have slain?—

That he was hers, and had forgone my chain.

At last, when I perceived both eyes and heart

Excuse themselves, as guiltless of my ill,

I found myself the cause of all my smart,

And told myself that I myself would kill:

Yet when I saw myself to you was true,

I loved myself, because myself loved you.