Unjust decrees, that do at once exact
From such a love as worthy hearts should own
So wild a passion,
And yet so tame a presence
As, holding no proportion,5
Changes into impossible obedience.
Let it suffice, that neither I do love
In such a calm observance as to weigh
Each word I say,
And each examin'd look t' approve10
That towards her doth move,
Without so much of fire
As might in time kindle into desire.
Or give me leave to burst into a flame,
And at the scope of my unbounded will15
Love her my fill—
No superscriptions of fame,
Of honour, or good name;
No thought, but to improve
The gentle and quick approaches of my love.20
But thus to throng, and overlade a soul
With love, and then to leave a room for fear
That shall all that control,
What is it but to rear
Our passions and our hopes on high,25
That thence they may descry
The noblest way how to despair and die?