Thomas Carew(ea. 1595–1640)
Song. To My Inconstant Mistress
W h e n t h o u , p o o r e x c o m m u n i c a t e
F r o m all t h e joys of love, shalt s e e
T h e full reward a n d g l o r i o u s fate
W h i c h m y s t r o n g faith shall p u r c h a s e m e ,
T h e n c u r s e t h i n e o w n i n c o n s t a n c y .
A fairer h a n d t h a n t h i n e shall c u r e
T h a t heart w h i c h thy false o a t h s did w o u n d ,
A n d to my soul a s o u l m o r e pure
T h a n t h i n e shall b y Love's h a n d b e b o u n d ,
And both with equal glory crowned.
T h e n shalt t h o u w e e p , e n t r e a t , c o m p l a i n
To Love, as I did o n c e to t h e e ;
W h e n all thy tears shall be as v a i n
A s m i n e w e r e t h e n , for t h o u shalt b e
D a m n e d for thy false a p o s t a s y . 9