Love's Dialect :: :: University of Virginia Library

Lend me thy Arrowes Cupid, teach me how
To weare thy Quiver and to bend thy Bow,
Shew me that Shaft in which a Power doth lye
To make man chastly Love eternally;
I have my eyes faire Boy with which Ile find
The marke that thou wilt misse, las, thou art blind,
I See too much, and wish I could not see,
Lesse I had power my bondage for to free
Or bind another; Theodorus then
Should be my honour'd Prisoner once agen,
Did I appeare so worthlesse, is my face
So poorely barren of the Female Grace
Which Courts our Amorous youth, that I must be
The Subject of a mans Inconstancy,
What though there be no Cupids in my Eyes,
Plac'd to make Erring Love idolatrize,
What though the Roses in my Cheekes doe faint,
And I disdaine with an Adulterate paint
To Adde a Sinnefull Beauty, my chaste minde
Shall cast a lustre when all eyes are blind,
That might have made my Theodorus Love
With divine Loyalty, and constant proove,

For Love that's onely fixed in faire Eyes
And fading Colours, with their downefall dyes
Beleeve me Theodorus, I divine,
(Though thou art gone, and the sad losse is mine)
Thou wilt not be a winner; Oh take heede
Women are gilded follies, that exceed
A gluttons Riot, Men doe oft refuse
(For Beauties sake) though they unchastly chuse,
If they be beautiously faire, can that
Secure their Mindes from Thoughts adulterate,
And should they lose their Honour, can they then
With all their Beauties fetch it backe agen,
But be your owne adviser, let not me
Discourage your opinion, but be free
In your new choice; if my wish take effect,
You never shall repent you did neglect
My courser Fortunes; if your Mistris be
An Angell in your eyes, shees so to me,
Envye is still my Enemy; although
I lov'd you fondly, I must have you know
Twas very chastly (too) and (without Wonder)
Hearts may contract when Bodies are asunder.
Yet love your Mistris, and be truely zealous,
I can Affect, yet never make her jealous.