Astrophel And Stella-Eleventh Song

 "Who is it that this dark night
Underneath my window plaineth?"
'It is one who from thy sight
Being, ah! exiled, disdaineth
Every other vulgar light.
'

"Why, alas! and are you he?
Be not yet those fancies changed?"
'Dear, when you find change in me,
Though from me you be estranged,
Let my change to ruin be.
'

"Well, in absence this will die;
Leave to see, and leave to wonder.
"
'Absence sure will help, If I
Can learn how myself to sunder
From what in my heart doth lie.
'

"But time will these thoughts remove:
Time doth work what no man knoweth.
"
'Time doth as the subject prove,
With time still the affection groweth
In the faithful turtle dove.
'

"What if you new beauties see?
Will not they stir new affection?"
'I will think they pictures be,
Image-like of saint's perfection,
Poorly counterfeiting thee.
'

"But your reason's purest light
Bids you leave such minds to nourish.
"
'Dear, do reason no such spite,— 
Never doth thy beauty flourish
More than in my reason's sight.
'

"But the wrongs love bears will make
Love at length leave undertaking.
"
'No, the more fools do it shake
In a ground of so firm making,
Deeper still they drive the stake.
'

"Peace! I think that some give ear;
Come no more, lest I get anger.
"
'Bliss, I will my bliss forbear,
Fearing, sweet, you to endanger;
But my soul shall harbour there.
'

Well, begone, begone, I say,
Lest that Argus' eyes perceive you.
"
'O unjust Fortune's sway,
Which can make me thus to leave you,
And from louts to run away!'

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