The Works of Sir John Suckling in prose and verse/A Poem with the Answer

by John Suckling

[A POEM WITH THE ANSWER]

Sir J. S.

1

Out upon it! I have lov'd

Three whole days together;
And am like to love three more,
If it prove fair weather.

2

Time shall moult away his wings,5

Ere he shall discover
In the whole wide world again
Such a constant lover.

3

But the spite on 't is, no praise

Is due at all to me:10
Love with me had made no stays,
Had it any been but she.

4

Had it any been but she,

And that very face,
There had been at least ere this15
A dozen dozen in her place.

 

Sir Toby Matthews

1

Say, but did you love so long?

In troth, I needs must blame you:
Passion did your judgment wrong,
Or want of reason shame you.20

2

Truth, time's fair and witty daughter,

Shortly shall discover,
Y' are a subject fit for laughter,
And more fool than lover.

3

But I grant you merit praise25

For your constant folly:
Since you doted three whole days,
Were you not melancholy?

4

She to whom you prov'd so true,

And that very, very face,30
Puts each minute such as you
A dozen dozen to disgrace.