Anonymous

DISDAIN me still that I may ever love,

For who his love enjoys can love no more:

The war once past, with ease men cowards prove,

And ships returned do rot upon the shore:

And though thou frown, I’ll say thou art most fair,

And still I’ll love, though still I must despair.

As heat to life, so is desire to love,

And these once quenched both life and love are gone:

Let not my sighs nor tears thy virtue move,

Like baser metals do not melt too soon:

Laugh at my woes although I ever mourn;

Love surfeits with reward, his nurse is scorn.