THE GIVEN HEART.
I Wonder what those lovers mean, who say
They've given their hearts away.
Some good, kind lover, tell me how:
For mine is but a torment to me now.
If so it be one place both hearts contain,
For what do they complain?
What courtesy can Love do more,
Than to join hearts that parted were before?
Woe to her stubborn heart, if once mine come
Into the self-same room;
'Twill tear and blow up all within
Like a grenade shot into a magazine.
Then shall Love keep the ashes and torn parts
Of both our broken hearts;
Shall out of both one new one make,
From hers th' alloy, from mine the metal take.
For of her heart he from the flames will find
But little left behind:
Mine only will remain entire,
No dross was there to perish in the fire.
Abraham Cowley.
ICE AND FIRE.