Thomas Campion

Never Love Unless

Never love unless you can

Bear with all the faults of man:

Men sometimes will jealous be

Though but little cause they see;

And hang the head, as discontent,

And speak what straight they will repent.

 

Men that but one saint adore

Make a show of love to more.

Beauty must be scorned in none,

Though but truly served in one:

For what is courtship but disguise?

True hearts may have dissembling eyes.

 

Men, when their affairs require,

Must awhile themselves retire;

Sometimes hunt, and sometimes hawk,

And not ever sit and talk.

If these and such-like you can bear,

Then like, and love, and never fear!