The Works of Sir John Suckling in prose and verse/Loving and Beloved

by John Suckling

LOVING AND BELOVED

1

⁠There never yet was honest man

⁠That ever drove the trade of love;
⁠It is impossible, nor can
⁠Integrity our ends promove;
For kings and lovers are alike in this,5
That their chief art in reign dissembling is.

2

⁠Here we are lov'd, and there we love;

⁠Good nature now and passion strive
⁠Which of the two should be above,
⁠And laws unto the other give.10
So we false fire with art sometimes discover,
And the true fire with the same art do cover.

3

⁠What rack can fancy find so high?

⁠Here we must court, and here engage,
⁠Though in the other place we die.15
⁠O, 'tis torture all, and cosenage!
And which the harder is I cannot tell,
To hide true love, or make false love look well.

4

⁠Since it is thus, god of desire,

⁠Give me my honesty again,20
⁠And take thy brands back, and thy fire;
⁠I'm weary of the state I'm in:
Since (if the very best should now befall)
Love's triumph must be Honour's funeral.