THE PROHIBITION

       Take heed of loving mee
At least remember, I forbade it thee;
Not that I shall repaire my' unthrifty wast
Of Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares
By being to thee then what to me thou wast;
But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares,
Then, lest thy love, by my death, frustrate bee,
If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee.

       Take heed of hating mee,
Or too much triumph in the Victorie.
Not that I shall be mine owne officer,
And hate with hate againe retaliate;
But thou wilt loose the stile of conquerour,
If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.
Then, lest my being nothing lessen thee,
If thou hate me, take heed of hating me.

       Yet, love and hate me too,
So, these extreames shall neithers office doe;
Love mee, that I may die the gentler way;
Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee;
Or let these two, themselves, not me decay,
So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee;
Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe,
To let me live, O love and hate me too.