Inconstancy.

FIve years ago (says Story) I lov'd you,
For which you call me most Inconstant now;
Pardon me, Madam, you mistake the Man;
For I am not the same, that I was than;
No Flesh is now the same 'twas then in Mee;
And that my Mind is chang'd your self may see.
The same Thoughts to retain still, and Intents
Were more inconstant far; for Accidents
Must of all things most strangely 'Inconstant prove,
If from one Subject they t'another move;
My Members then, the Father Members were
From whence These take their birth, which now are here.
If then this Body love what th'other did,
'Twere Incest; which by Nature is forbid.
You might as well this Day inconstant name,
Because the Weather is not still the same,
That it was yesterday: or blame the Year,
Cause the Spring, Flowers; and Autumn, Fruit does bear.
The World's a Scene of Changes, and to be
Constant, in Nature were Inconstancie;
For 'twere to break the Laws her self has made:
Our Substances themselves do fleet, and fade;
The most fixt Being still doth move and fly,
Swift as the wings of Time 'tis measur'd by.
T'imagine then that Love should never cease
(Love which is but the Ornament of these)
Were quite as senseless, as to wonder why
Beauty and Colour stays not when we dy.