Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Who is it that, this dark night, | |
Underneath my window plaineth? | |
It is one who from thy sight | |
Being, ah, exiled, disdaineth | |
Every other vulgar light. | 5 |
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Why, alas, and are you he? | |
Be not yet those fancies changeèd? | |
Dear, when you find change in me, | |
Though from me you be estrangèd, | |
Let my change to ruin be. | 10 |
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Well, in absence this will die: | |
Leave to see, and leave to wonder. | |
Absence sure will help, if I | |
Can learn how myself to sunder | |
From what in my heart doth lie. | 15 |
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But time will these thoughts remove; | |
Time doth work what no man knoweth. | |
Time doth as the subject prove: | |
With time still the affection groweth | |
In the faithful turtle-dove. | 20 |
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What if you new beauties see? | |
Will not they stir new affection? | |
I will think they pictures be | |
(Image-like, of saints’ perfection) | |
Poorly counterfeiting thee. | 25 |
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But your reason’s purest light | |
Bids you leave such minds to nourish. | |
Dear, do reason no such spite! | |
Never doth thy beauty flourish | |
More than in my reason’s sight. | 30 |