Thomas Carew(ea. 1595–1640)
Mediocrity in Love Rejected
Give m e m o r e love, o r m o r e disdain;
T h e torrid o r t h e f r o z e n z o n e
Bring e q u a l e a s e u n t o m y pain;
T h e t e m p e r a t e a f f o r d s m e n o n e :
E i t h e r e x t r e m e , of love or h a t e ,
Is s w e e t e r t h a n a c a l m e s t a t e . 0condition
Give me a storm; if it be love,
Like D a n a e i n that g o l d e n s h o w e r , 8
I s w i m in p l e a s u r e ; if it prove
Disdain, that torrent will devour
M y v u l t u r e h o p e s ; a n d he's p o s s e s s e d
O f h e a v e n that's b u t f r o m hell r e l e a s e d .
T h e n c r o w n m y joys, o r c u r e m y pain;
Give m e m o r e love, o r m o r e disdain;