Led by a strong desire

Led by a strong desire

To have a thing unseen,

Nothing could make me tire

To be where as I had been.

I got her sight, which made me think

My thirst was gone because I saw my drink.

Kept by the careful watch

Of more than a hundred eyes,

I sought but could not catch

The thing she not denies.

'Tis better to be blind and fast

Than, hungry, see thy love and can not taste.

But lovers' eyes do wake

When others are at rest;

And in the night they slake

The fire of day's unrest.

Methinks that joy is of most worth

Which painful Time and passed fears bring forth.

Yet husbands do suppose

To keep their wives by art,

And parents will disclose

By looks their children's heart.

As if they which have will to do

Had not the wit to blind such keepers too.

Peace then, ye aged fools,

That know yourselves so wise,

That from experience schools

Do think wit must arise.

Give young men leave to think, and say:

Your senses with your bodies do decay.

Love ruleth like a god,

Whom earth keeps not in awe,

Nor fear of smarting rod

Denounced by reason¼s law.

Give grave advice, but rest you there.

Youth hath his course and will; and you youths were.

Think not by prying care

To pick love's secrets out;

If you suspicious are

Yourselves resolve your doubt.

Who seek to know such deeds once done

Finds perjury before confession.