Love’s Usury

FOR every hour that thou wilt spare me now,

I will allow,

Usurious god of love, twenty to thee,

When with my brown my grey hairs equal be.

Till then, Love, let my body range, and let

Me travel, sojourn, snatch, plot, have, forget,

Resume my last year’s relict; think that yet

We’d never met.

Let me think any rival’s letter mine,

And at next nine

Keep midnight’s promise; mistake by the way

The maid, and tell the lady of that delay;

Only let me love none; no, not the sport

From country grass to confitures of court,

Or city’s quelque-choses; let not report

My mind transport.

This bargain’s good; if when I’m old, I be

Inflamed by thee,

If thine own honour, or my shame and pain,

Thou covet most, at that age thou shalt gain.

Do thy will then; then subject and degree

And fruit of love, Love, I submit to thee.

Spare me till then; I’ll bear it, though she be

One that love me.