Classic Poem

DENYING HIM TO LIE WITH HER .

H ATE me, dear soul, and say no more you love,
If I must only know what is above;
To kiss your lips and hands these be but toys
And torments to a lover, and not joys.
I hate the wanton folly of a kiss
If not a prologue to a further bliss:
Men do seek mines in women, and if so
You must give leave to them to dig below
The barren face of earth, since Nature's arts
Hath hid such treasures in the lower parts.
Why you so coy? You'd fain be married
Before that ye would lose your maidenhead.
Then may I claim it as my right and due,
The law doth give it me, it is not you.
If you would have your kindness to me shown,
Bestow it freely while it is your own.