University of Virginia Library

Loves Apostacy to his friend Mr. E. D.

Tut, let her goe, can I indure all this,
Yet dye, to doate upon a Maydens kisse?
Is there such Magicke in her lookes, that can,
Into a foole, transfigurate a man?
Didst thou not love her? true: and she disdaine
To meete thy vertue? let her meete her shame.
Were she as faire as she her selfe would be,
Adorn'd with all the cost of bravery:
Could she melt hearts of flint, and from her eye
Give her beholders power to live or die.
I'de rather begge shee would pronounce my death,
Then be her scorne, though that preserv'd my breath
Rise heart! and be not fool'd: S'foote what a shame
Were it for thee to re-incense one flame
From the declining sparke? dost thou not know
As shee's a woman, her whole sexe doth owe
To thine all honour? her false heart and pride
Dare not oppose thy faith: then turne high tyde,
And let her, since her scorne doth so disease thee
By her repentance strive againe to please thee.