|
| The undertaking. |
|
| I have done one braver thing |
| Than all the Worthies did; |
| And yet a braver thence doth spring, |
| Which is, to keepe that hid. |
|
| It were but madnesse now t'impart |
| The skill of specular stone, |
| When he which can have learn'd the art, |
| To cut it can finde none. |
|
| So, if I now should utter this, |
| Others (because no more |
| Such stuffe to worke upon, there is,) |
| Would love but as before: |
|
| But hee who lovelinesse within |
| Hath found, all outward loathes, |
| For he who colour loves, and skinne, |
| Loves but their oldest clothes. |
|
| If, as I have, you also doe |
| Vertue in woman see, |
| And dare love that, and say so too, |
| And forget the Hee and Shee; |
|
| And if this love, though placed so, |
| From prophane men you hide |
| Which will no faith on this bestow, |
| Or, if they doe, deride:
|
[CW: Then] |