WHO is it that this dark night, | |
| Underneath my window plaineth? | |
| It is one who from thy sight, | |
| Being, ah! exiled; disdaineth | |
| Every other vulgar light. | 5 |
| |
| Why, alas! and are you he? | |
| Be not yet those fancies changèd? | |
| Dear! when you find change in me, | |
| Though from me you be estrangèd; | |
| Let my change to ruin be. | 10 |
| |
| Well in absence this will die. | |
| Leave to see! and leave to wonder! | |
| Absence sure will help, if I | |
| Can learn how myself to sunder | |
| From what in my heart doth lie. | 15 |
| |
| But time will these thoughts remove: | |
| Time doth work what no man knoweth. | |
| Time doth as the subject prove, | |
| With time still th’affection groweth | |
| In the faithful turtle dove. | 20 |
| |
| What if you new beauties see! | |
| Will not they stir new affection? | |
| I will think thy pictures be | |
| (Image-like of saints’ perfection) | |
| Poorly counterfeiting thee. | 25 |
| |
| But your reason’s purest light | |
| Bids you leave such minds to nourish! | |
| Dear! do reason no such spite! | |
| Never doth thy beauty flourish | |
| More than in my reason’s sight. | 30 |
| |
| But the wrongs love bears, will make | |
| Love at length leave undertaking. | |
| No, the more fools it do shake | |
| In a ground of so firm making, | |
| Deeper still they drive the stake. | 35 |
| |
| Peace! I think that some give ear! | |
| Come no more! lest I get anger. | |
| Bliss! I will my bliss forbear; | |
| Fearing, Sweet! you to endanger! | |
| But my soul shall harbour thee. | 40 |
| |
| Well begone! begone I say! | |
| Lest that ARGUS’ eyes perceive you. | |
| O unjust Fortune’s sway! | |
| Which can make me thus to leave you; | |
| And from louts to run away. | 45 |
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