1351Some glory in their birth, some in their skill,

1352Some in their wealth, some in their body's force,

1353Some in their garments, though new-fangled ill,

1354Some in their hawks and hounds, some in their horse;

1355And every humor hath his adjunct pleasure,

1356Wherein it finds a joy above the rest.

1357But these particulars are not my measure;

1358All these I better in one general best.

1359Thy love is better than high birth to me,

1360Richer than wealth, prouder than garments' cost,

1361Of more delight than hawks or horses be;

1362And having thee, of all men's pride I boast--

1363 Wretched in this alone, that thou mayst take

1364 All this away, and me most wretched make.

1366But do thy worst to steal thyself away,

1367For term of life thou art assurèd mine,

1368And life no longer than thy love will stay,

1369For it depends upon that love of thine.

1370Then need I not to fear the worst of wrongs,

1371When in the least of them my life hath end;

1372I see a better state to me belongs

1373Than that which on thy humor doth depend.

1374Thou canst not vex me with inconstant mind,

1375Since that my life on thy revolt doth lie.

1376Oh, what a happy title do I find,

1377Happy to have thy love, happy to die!

1378 But what's so blessed-fair that fears no blot?

1379 Thou mayst be false, and yet I know it not.

1381So shall I live, supposing thou art true,

1382Like a deceived husband; so love's face

1383May still seem love to me, though altered new,

1384Thy looks with me, thy heart in other place.

1385For there can live no hatred in thine eye,

1386Therefore in that I cannot know thy change.

1387In many's looks, the false heart's history

1388Is writ in moods and frowns and wrinkles strange.

1389But heaven in thy creation did decree

1390That in thy face sweet love should ever dwell;

1391Whate'er thy thoughts or thy heart's workings be,

1392Thy looks should nothing thence but sweetness tell.

1393 How like Eve's apple doth thy beauty grow,

1394 If thy sweet virtue answer not thy show.