| |
| WE, that did nothing study but the way | |
| To love each other, with which thoughts the day | |
| Rose with delight to us and with them set, | |
| Must learn the hateful art, how to forget…. | |
| We, that did nothing wish that Heaven could give | 5 |
| Beyond ourselves, nor did desire to live | |
| Beyond that wish, all these now cancel must, | |
| As if not writ in faith, but words and dust. | |
| Yet witness those clear vows which lovers make, | |
| Witness the chaste desires that never brake | 10 |
| Into unruly heats; witness that breast | |
| Which into thy bosom anchor’d his whole rest— | |
| ’Tis no default in us: I dare acquite | |
| Thy maiden faith, thy purpose fair and white | |
| As thy pure self. Cross planets did envỳ | 15 |
| Us to each other, and Heaven did untie | |
| Faster than vows could bind. Oh, that the stars, | |
| When lovers meet, should stand opposed in wars! | |
| Since then, some higher Destinies command, | |
| Let us not strive, nor labour to withstand | 20 |
| What is past help. The longest date of grief | |
| Can never yield a hope of our relief: | |
| Fold back our arms; take home our fruitless loves, | |
| That must new fortunes try, like turtle-doves | |
| Dislodgèd from their haunts. We must in tears | 25 |
| Unwind a love knit up in many years. | |
| In this last kiss I here surrender thee | |
| Back to thyself.—So, thou again art free: | |
| Thou in another, sad as that, resend | |
| The truest heart that lover e’er did lend. | 30 |
| Now turn from each: so fare our severed hearts | |
| As the divorced soul from her body parts. | |
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