| |
| SHALL I tell you whom I love? | |
| Hearken then awhile to me; | |
| And if such a woman move | |
| As I now shall versify, | |
| Be assured ’t is she or none, | 5 |
| That I love, and love alone. | |
| |
| Nature did her so much right | |
| As she scorns the help of art. | |
| In as many virtues dight | |
| As e’er yet embraced a heart. | 10 |
| So much good so truly tried, | |
| Some for less were deified. | |
| |
| Wit she hath, without desire | |
| To make known how much she hath; | |
| And her anger flames no higher | 15 |
| Than may fitly sweeten wrath. | |
| Full of pity as may be, | |
| Though perhaps not so to me. | |
| |
| Reason masters every sense, | |
| And her virtues grace her birth; | 20 |
| Lovely as all excellence, | |
| Modest in her most of mirth. | |
| Likelihood enough to prove | |
| Only worth could kindle love. | |
| |
| Such she is; and if you know | 25 |
| Such a one as I have sung; | |
| Be she brown, or fair, or so | |
| That she be but somewhat young; | |
| Be assured ’t is she, or none, | |
| That I love, and love alone. | 30 |
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