Thomas Carew

Mediocrity in Love Rejected

Give me more love or more disdain;

The torrid, or the frozen zone,

Bring equal ease unto my pain;

The temperate affords me none;

Either extreme, of love, or hate,

Is sweeter than a calm estate.

 

Give me a storm; if it be love,

Like Danae in that golden show'r

I swim in pleasure; if it prove

Disdain, that torrent will devour

My vulture-hopes; and he's possess'd

Of heaven, that's but from hell releas'd.

 

Then crown my joys, or cure my pain;

Give me more love, or more disdain.