Love

A Song

by Ben Jonson 1572-1637

From Underwoods (1640)

Love

Oh do not wanton with those eyes,
Lest I be sick with seeing;
Nor cast them down, but let them rise,
Lest shame destroy their being.

O be not angry with those fires,
For then their threats will kill me;
Nor look too kind, on my desires,
For then my hopes will spill me.

O do not steep them in thy tears,
For so will sorrow slay me;
Nor spread them as distract with fears;
Mine own enough betray me.

✦ ✦ ✦

Underwoods, Miscellaneous Poems, no. 2.

MLA

Jonson, Ben. “A Song.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/jonson/199/.

Chicago

Jonson, Ben. “A Song.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/jonson/199/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Ben Jonson