The waving sea can with each flood
Bathe some high promont that hath stood20
Far from the main up in the river:
O, think not then but love can do
As much; for that's an ocean too,
Which flows not every day, but ever!
THE EXPOSTULATION
Tell me, ye juster deities,
That pity lovers' miseries,
Why should my own unworthiness
Fright me to seek my happiness?
It is as natural as just5
Him for to love, whom needs I must:
All men confess that love's a fire;
Then who denies it to aspire?
Tell me, if thou wert fortune's thrall,
Would'st thou not raise thee from the fall,10
Seek only to o'erlook thy state
Whereto thou art condemn'd by fate?
Then let me love my Coridon,
And, by love's leave, him love alone:
For I have read of stories oft,15
That love hath wings and soars aloft.
Then let me grow in my desire,
Though I be martyr'd in that fire;
For grace it is enough for me,
But only to love such as he:20
For never shall my thoughts be base,
Though luckless, yet without disgrace:
Then let him that my love shall blame
Or clip love's wings, or quench love's flame.
DETRACTION EXECRATED
Thou vermin slander, bred in abject minds
Of thoughts impure, by vile tongues animate,
Canker of conversation! couldst thou find
Nought but our love whereon to show thy hate?
Thou never wert, when we two were alone;5
What canst thou witness then? thy base dull aid
