Whilst they, 'twixt sport and earnest, love at leisure. Nay, at the first! when it is kindly proffered! Maids must accept; least twice, it be not offered! Else though their beauty seem their good t'importune, Yet may they lose the better of their fortune. Thus, as this Fondling coldly went about it; So in the end, he clearly went without it. For while he, doubtful, seemed to make a stay, A Mongrel stole the maiden's heart away; For which, though he lamented much in shew, Yet was he, inward, glad it fell out so. Now, REASON! you may plainly judge by this, Not I, but he, the false dissembler is: Who, while fond hope his lukewarm love did feed, Made sign of more than he sustained indeed: And filled his rhymes with fables and with lies, Which, without Passion, he did oft devise; So to delude the ignorance of such That pitied him, thinking he loved too much. And with conceit, rather to shew his Wit, Than manifest his faithful Love by it. Much more than this, could I lay to his charge; But time would fail to open all at large. Let this suffice to prove his bad intent, And prove that LOVE is clear and innocent." Thus, at the length, though late, he made an end, And both of us did earnestly, attend The final judgement, REASON should award: When thus she 'gan to speak. "With due regard, The matter hath been heard, on either side. For judgement, you must longer time abide! The cause is weighty, and of great import." And so she, smiling, did adjourn the Court. Little availed it, then, to argue more; So I returned in worse case than before. _LOVE Deciphered._ [Illustration] LOVE and I are now divided, Conceit, by Error, was misguided. ALCILIA hath my love despised! "No man loves, that is advised." "Time at length, hath Truth detected." LOVE hath missed what he expected. Yet missing that, which long he sought; I have found that, I little thought. "Errors, in time, may be redrest," "The shortest follies are the best." Love and Youth are now asunder; Reason's glory, Nature's wonder. My thoughts, long bound, are now enlarged; My Folly's penance is discharged: Thus Time hath altered my estate. "Repentance never comes too late." Ah, well I find that Love is nought But folly, and an idle thought. The difference is 'twixt LOVE and me, That he is blind, and I can see. Love is honey mixed with gall! A thraldom free, a freedom thrall! A bitter sweet, a pleasant sour! Got in a year, lost in an hour! A peaceful war, a warlike peace! Whose wealth brings want; whose want, increase! Full long pursuit, and little gain! Uncertain pleasure, certain pain! Regard of neither right nor wrong! For short delights, repentance long!