Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Joshua Sylvester. 15631618115. Ubique
WERE I as base as is the lowly plain, | |
And you, my Love, as high as heaven above, | |
Yet should the thoughts of me, your humble swain, | |
Ascend to heaven in honour of my love. | |
Were I as high as heaven above the plain, | 5 |
And you, my Love, as humble and as low | |
As are the deepest bottoms of the main, | |
Wheresoe’er you were, with you my love should go. | |
Were you the earth, dear Love, and I the skies, | |
My love should shine on you like to the Sun, | 10 |
And look upon you with ten thousand eyes, | |
Till heaven wax’d blind, and till the world were done. | |
Wheresoe’er I am,—below, or else above you— | |
Wheresoe’er you are, my heart shall truly love you. |