1622O never say that I was false of heart,

1623Though absence seemed my flame to qualify;

1624As easy might I from myself depart

1625As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie:

1626That is my home of love; if I have ranged,

1627Like him that travels I return again,

1628Just to the time, not with the time exchanged,

1629So that myself bring water for my stain;

1630Never believe, though in my nature reigned

1631All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,

1632That it could so preposterously be stained,

1633To leave for nothing all thy sum of good:

1634 For nothing this wide universe I call,

1635 Save thou, my rose; in it thou art my all.

1637Alas, 'tis true, I have gone here and there,

1638And made myself a motley to the view,

1639Gored mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear,

1640Made old offences of affections new.

1641Most true it is that I have looked on truth

1642Askance and strangely; but by all above,

1643These blenches gave my heart another youth,

1644And worse essays proved thee my best of love.

1645Now all is done, save what shall have no end;

1646Mine appetite I never more will grind

1647On newer proof, to try an older friend,

1648A god in love, to whom I am confined.

1649 Then give me welcome, next my heaven the best,

1650 Even to thy pure and most most loving breast.

1652Oh, for my sake do you with Fortune chide,

1653The guilty goddess of my harmful deeds,

1654That did not better for my life provide

1655Than public means, which public manners breeds.

1656Thence comes it that my name receives a brand,

1657And almost thence my nature is subdued

1658To what it works in, like the dyer's hand;

1659Pity me then, and wish I were renewed,

1660Whilst like a willing patient I will drink

1661Potions of eisel 'gainst my strong infection;

1662No bitterness that I will bitter think,

1663Nor double penance to correct correction.

1664 Pity me then, dear friend, and I assure ye,

1665 Even that your pity is enough to cure me.