Classic Poem

I.

To take my Heart, and my Friend from me too,
 Was to my Love, but double Injury;
If you will not your Love on me bestow,
 Give me at least again, his Amity:

II.

Since from me now my Liberty you take,
 Then for it, something let me have of thine;
My Heart, or Friend, sure, shou'd you give me back;
 My Gift refuse, since you my Love decline:

III.

Since only, but for my True Love to thee,
 I never yet cou'd have been false to him;
My Falsness to him then, shou'd purchase me,
 For my Love more to you, more you Esteem.

IV.

'Tis you then are Ungrateful, sure, not I,
 I wou'd, for Love and you, betray my Friend,
If you to do the like for me deny,
 You can't to Love, Faith, Gratitude, pretend:

V.

Ungrateful must I be, to you, or him,
 Must either wrong his Friendship, or your Love,
Then, since to wrong Love, is, our greatest Crime,
 My Faith to you, by wronging him, I prove:

VI.

And since I love you more, than he, (you know,)
 Your Faith to him, wou'd most Injustice be;
Since he, for loving long, less Love can show,
 Not wronging him, you wou'd your self, and me:

VII.

He lov'd you so long since, his Love's worn out,
 You then are not his due, who lov'd you, first,
But his, who lov'd you last, without all doubt;
 Since he, who lov'd you longest, serves you worst:

VIII.

So, since I latest was in Love with you,
 And they show most Love, whose Love is most new,
Then, but because we less each other know,
 My Love is more than his, Thou more its due.