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To Thomalin.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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To Thomalin.

Thomalin , since Thirsil nothing h[as] to leave thee,
And leave thee must; pardon me (gentle friend)
If nothing but my love I onely give thee;
Yet see how great this Nothing is, I send:
For though this love of thine I sweetest prove,
Nothing's more sweet then is this sweetest love.
The souldier Nothing like his prey esteems;
Nothing toss'd sailers equal with the shore:
Nothing before his health the sick man deems;
The pilgrim hugges his countrey; Nothing more:
The miser hoording up his golden wares,
This Nothing with his precious wealth compares.
Our thoughts ambition onely Nothing ends;
Nothing fills up the golden-dropsied minde:
The prodigall, that all so lavish spends,
Yet Nothing cannot; Nothing stayes behinde:
The King, that with his life a kingdome buyes,
Then life or crown doth Nothing higher prize.

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Who all enjoyes, yet Nothing now desires;
Nothing is greater then the highest Jove:
Who dwells in heav'n, (then) Nothing more requires;
Love, more then honey; Nothing more sweet then love:
Nothing is onely better then the best;
Nothing is sure: Nothing is ever blest.
I love my health, my life, my books, my friends,
Thee; (dearest Thomalin) Nothing above thee:
For when my books, friends, health, life, fainting ends,
When thy love fails, yet Nothing still will love me:
When heav'n, and aire, the earth, and floating mains
Are gone, yet Nothing still untoucht remains.
Since then to other streams I must betake me,
And spitefull Chame of all ha's quite bereft me;
Since Muses selves (false Muses) will forsake me,
And but this Nothing, nothing els is left me;
Take thou my love, and keep it still in store:
That given, Nothing now remaineth more.