Loves Growth

I scarce beleeve my love to be so pure

As I had thought it was,

Because it doth endure

Vicissitude, and season, as the grasse;

Me thinkes I lyed all winter, when I swore,　

My love was infinite, if spring make'it more.

But if this medicine, love, which cures all sorrow

With more, not onely bee no quintessence,

But mixt of all stuffes, paining soule, or sense,

And of the Sunne his working vigour borrow,　

Love's not so pure, and abstract, as they use

To say, which have no Mistresse but their Muse,

But as all else, being elemented too,

Love sometimes would contemplate, sometimes do

And yet no greater, but more eminent,　

Love by the spring is growne;

As, in the firmament,

Starres by the Sunne are not inlarg'd, but showne,

Gentle love deeds, as blossomes on a bough,

From loves awakened root do bud out now.　

If, as in water stir'd more circles bee

Produc'd by one, love such additions take,

Those like so many spheares, but one heaven make,

For, they are all concentrique unto thee;

And though each spring doe adde to love new heate,　

As princes doe in times of action get

New taxes, and remit them not in peace,

No winter shall abate the springs encrease.