The Paradox

NO lover saith, I love, nor any other

Can judge a perfect lover;

He thinks that else none can or will agree,

That any loves but he;

I cannot say I loved, for who can say

He was kill’d yesterday.

Love with excess of heat, more young than old,

Death kills with too much cold;

We die but once, and who loved last did die,

He that saith, twice, doth lie;

For though he seem to move, and stir a while,

It doth the sense beguile.

Such life is like the light which bideth yet

When the life’s light is set,

Or like the heat which fire in solid matter

Leaves behind, two hours after.

Once I loved and died; and am now become

Mine epitaph and tomb;

Here dead men speak their last, and so do I;

Love-slain, lo! here I die.