Classic Poem

1

Honest lover whosoever,
If in all thy love there ever
Was one wav'ring thought, if thy flame
Were not still even, still the same:
Know this,
Thou lov'st amiss;
And, to love true,
Thou must begin again, and love anew.

2

If when she appears i' th' room,
Thou dost not quake, and are struck dumb,
And, in striving this to cover,
Dost not speak thy words twice over:
Know this,
Thou lov'st amiss;
And, to love true,
Thou must begin again, and love anew.

3

If fondly thou dost not mistake,
And all defects for graces take,
Persuad'st thyself that jests are broken,
When she hath little or nothing spoken,
Know this,
Thou lov'st amiss;
And, to love true,
Thou must begin again, and love anew.

4

If when thou appear'st to be within,
Thou lett'st not men ask and ask again;
And, when thou answer'st, if it be,
To what was ask'd thee, properly:
Know this,
Thou lov'st amiss;
And, to love true,
Thou must begin again, and love anew.

5

If, when thy stomach calls to eat,
Thou cutt'st not fingers 'stead of meat,
And, with much gazing on her face
Dost not rise hungry from the place:
Know this,
Thou lov'st amiss;
And, to love true,
Thou must begin again, and love anew.

6

If by this thou dost discover
That thou art no perfect lover,
And, desiring to love true,
Thou dost begin to love anew,
Know this,
Thou lov'st amiss;
And, to love true,
Thou must begin again, and love anew.