Farewell, false Love, the oracle of lies

Farewell, false Love, the oracle of lies,

A mortal foe and enemy to rest,

An envious boy from whom all cares arise,

A bastard vile, a beast with rage possest;

A way of error, a temple full of treason,

In all effects contrary unto reason.

A poison'd serpent cover'd all with flowers,

Mother of sighs and murderer of repose;

A sea of sorrows from whence are drawn such showers

As moisture lend to every grief that grows;

A school of guile, a net of deep deceit,

A gilded hook that holds a poison'd bait.

A fortress foiled which Reason did defend,

A Siren song, a fever of the mind,

A maze wherein affection finds no end,

A raging cloud that runs before the wind;

A substance like the shadow of the sun,

A goal of grief for which the wisest run.

A quenchless fire, a nurse of trembling fear,

A path that leads to peril and mishap,

A true retreat of sorrow and despair,

An idle boy that sleeps in Pleasure's lap;

A deep distrust of that which certain seems,

A hope of that which Reason doubtful deems.