Stances de Monsieur Bertaud

Whilst wishing, Heaven, in his ire,
Would punish with some Judgment dire,
This heart to Love so obstinate;
To say I love her, is to lye,
Though I do love t' Extremity,
Since thus to love her, is to hate.

But since from this my hatred Springs,
That she neglects my Sufferings,
And is unto my love ingrate;
My hatred is so full of flame,
Since from affection first it came,
That 'tis to love her, thus to hate.

I wish that milder Love, or Death,
That ends our miseries with our Breath,
Would my Afflictions terminate,
For to my Soul, depriv'd of peace,
It is a torment worse than these,
Thus wretchedly to love and hate.

Let Love be gentle, or severe,
It is in vain to hope, or fear
His grace, or rage in this Estate;
Being I, from my fair ones Spirit,
Nor mutual Love, nor hatred merit,
Thus sencelesly to Love, and Hate.

Or, if by my Example here
It just, and equal do appear,
She love, and loath who is my Fate;
Grant me, ye Powers, in this case,
Both for my punishment and grace,
That as I do, she Love, and Hate.