“No, no, poor suff’ring Heart, no Change endeavour,” from Cleomenes

NO, no, poor suff’ring Heart, no Change endeavour,

Choose to sustain the smart, rather than leave her;

My ravish’d Eyes behold such Charms about her,

I can dye with her, but not live without her

One tender Sigh of hers to see me Languish,

Will more than pay the price of my past Anguish:

Beware, O cruel Fair, how you smile on me,

’Twas a kind look of yours that has undone me.

Love has in store for me one happy Minute,

And She will end my pain who did begin it;

Then no day void of Bliss, or Pleasure leaving,

Ages shall slide away without perceiving:

Cupid shall guard the Door the more to please us,

And keep out Time and Death, when they would seize us:

Time and Death shall depart, and say in flying,

Love has found out a way to Live by Dying.