Herbert J.C. Grierson, ed. (1886–1960). Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the 17th C. 1921.

1566–1638 John Hoskins

Absence

ABSENCE heare my protestation

Against thy strengthe

Distance and lengthe,

Doe what thou canst for alteration:

For harts of truest mettall

Absence doth joyne, and time doth settle.

Who loves a Mistris of right quality,

His mind hath founde

Affections grounde

Beyond time, place, and all mortality:

To harts that cannot vary

Absence is present, time doth tary:

My Sences want their outward motion

Which now within

Reason doth win,

Redoubled by her secret notion:

Like rich men that take pleasure

In hidinge more then handling treasure.

By absence this good means I gaine

That I can catch her

Where none can watch her

In some close corner of my braine:

There I embrace and kiss her,

And so enjoye her, and so misse her.