A
lecture, Love, in love's philosophy.
These three hours that we
have spent
Walking here, two shadows
went
Along
with us, which we ourselves produced;
But,
now the sun is just above our head,
We do those shadows tread
And to brave clearness all
things are reduced.
So,
whilst our infant loves did grow,
Disguises
did and shadows flow
From
us and our care; but now, 'tis not so.
That
love hath not attained the high'st degree
Which
is still diligent lest others see.
Except
our loves at this noon stay,
We
shall new shadows make the other way.
As the first were made to
blind
Others, these which come
behind
Will
work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.
If
our loves faint and westwardly decline,
To me thou falsely thine
And I to thee mine actions
shall disguise.
The
morning shadows wear away,
But
these grow longer all the day,
But,
oh, love's day is short if love decay.
Love
is a growing or full constant light
And
his first minute after noon is night.