John Donne (1572–1631)

That Time and Absence proves
Rather helps than hurts to loves

ABSENCE, hear thou my protestation

Against thy strength,

Distance and length:

Do what thou canst for alteration,

For hearts of truest mettle

Absence doth join and Time doth settle.

Who loves a mistress of such quality,

He soon hath found

Affection’s ground

Beyond time, place, and all mortality.

To hearts that cannot vary

Absence is present, Time doth tarry.

My senses want their outward motion

Which now within

Reason doth win,

Redoubled in her secret notion:

Like rich that take pleasure

In hiding more than handling treasure.

By Absence this good means I gain,

That I can catch her

Where none doth watch her,

In some close corner of my brain:

There I embrace and kiss her,

And so I both enjoy and miss her.