The Paradox

• No Lover saith, I love, nor any other
• Can judge a perfect Lover;
• He thinks that else none can or will agree
• That any loves but he;
• I cannot say I loved, for who can say
• He was kill’d yesterday?
• Love with excess of heat, more young than old,
• Death kills with too much cold;
• Wee dye but once, and who lov’d last did die,
• Hee that saith twice, doth lye:
• For though he seeme to move, and stirre a while,
• It doth the sense beguile.
• Such life is like the light which bideth yet
• When the lights life is set,
• Or like the heat, which fire in solid matter
• Leaves behind, two hours after.
• Once I loved and died; and am now become
• Mine epitaph and tomb.
• Here dead men speake their last, and so do I;
• Love-slain, lo! here I die.