The Works of Abraham Cowley/Volume 2/Discretion
DISCRETION.
Discreet! what means this word discreet?A curse on all discretion!This barbarous term you will not meetIn all Love's lexicon.
Jointure, portion, gold, estate,Houses, household-stuff, or land(The low conveniencies of Fate),Are Greek no lovers understand.
Believe me, beauteous one! when loveEnters into a breast,The two first things it does removeAre friends and interest.
Passion's half blind, nor can endureThe careful, scrupulous eyes;Or else I could not love, I'm sure,One who in love were wise.
Men in such tempests tost about,Will, without grief or pain,Cast all their goods and riches out,Themselves their port to gain.
As well might martyrs, who do chooseThat sacred death to take,Mourn for the clothes which they must lose,When they're bound naked to the stake.