[41.] Deceiv'd and undeceiv'd
I
Deceiv'd and undeceiv'd to be
At once I seek with equal care,
Wreched in the discovery,
Happy if cozen'd still I were:
Yet certain ill of ill hath less
Then the mistrust of happiness.
II
But if when I have reach'd my aim,
(That which I seek less worthy prove,)
Yet still my love remains the same,
The subject not deserving love;
I can no longer be excus'd
Now more in fault as less abus'd.
III
Then let me flatter my desires,
And doubt what I might know too sure,
He that to cheat himself conspires,
From falshhood doth his faith secure
In Love uncertain to believe
I am deceiv'd, doth undeceive.
IV
For if my Life on Doubt depend,
And in distrust inconstant steer,
If I essay the strife to end
(When Ignorance were Wisdome here;)
All thy attempts how can I blame
To work my Death? I seek the same.