I never stoop'd so low, as they Which on an eye, cheeke, lip, can prey, Seldome to them, which soare no higher Then vertue or the minde to'admire, For sense, and understanding may 5 Know, what gives fuell to their fire: My love, though silly, is more brave, For may I misse, when ere I crave, If I know yet, what I would have. If that be simply perfectest 10 Which can by no way be exprest But _Negatives_, my love is so. To All, which all love, I say no. If any who deciphers best, What we know not, our selves, can know, 15 Let him teach mee that nothing; This As yet my ease, and comfort is, Though I speed not, I cannot misse. [Negative love. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ Negative Love: or the Nothing. _O'F:_ The Nothing. _A25_, _C_] [4 to'admire, _1633-39:_ to'admire; _1650-69_] [5 For] Both _A25_, _C_] [11 way] means _1669_, _O'F_] [16 nothing; _1633:_ nothing. _1635-69_] _The Prohibition._ Take heed of loving mee, At least remember, I forbade it thee; Not that I shall repaire my'unthrifty wast Of Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares, By being to thee then what to me thou wast; 5 But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares, Then, least thy love, by my death, frustrate bee, If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee. Take heed of hating mee, Or too much triumph in the Victorie. 10 Not that I shall be mine owne officer, And hate with hate againe retaliate; But thou wilt lose the stile of conquerour, If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate. Then, least my being nothing lessen thee, 15 If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee. Yet, love and hate mee too, So, these extreames shall neithers office doe; Love mee, that I may die the gentler way; Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee; 20 Or let these two, themselves, not me decay; So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee; Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe, _To let mee live, O love and hate mee too._ [The Prohibition. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no title_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _O'F_, _S96:_ _in B first two verses headed_ J. D., _last verse_ T. R.: _in A18_, _N_, _S96_, _TCC_, _TCD the last stanza is omitted_] [3 repaire my'unthrifty wast] repay in unthrifty a wast, _1669_] [5 By ... wast; _Ed:_ By ... wast, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _O'F_, _P_, _RP31_, _S96_ (mee _for_ thee _B_, _P_): By being to mee then that which thou wast; _1633:_ _om._ _A18_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_] [18 neithers _Ed:_ neythers _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC:_ neyther _O'F_, _RP31:_ neyther their _Cy:_ ne'r their _1633-69_, _B_]