John Dryden (1631–1700)

NO, no, poor suffering heart, no change endeavour;

Choose to sustain the smart, rather than leave her.

My ravished eyes behold such charms about her,

I can die with her, but not live without her;

One tender sigh of hers to see me languish,

Will more than pay the price of my past anguish.

Beware, O cruel fair, how you smile on me,

’Twas a kind look of yours that has undone me.

Love has in store for me one happy minute,

And she will end my pain who did begin it;

Then no day void of bliss or pleasure leaving,

Ages shall slide away without perceiving:

Cupid shall guard the door, the more to please us,

And keep out Time and Death, when they would seize us:

Time and Death shall depart, and say, in flying,

Love has found out a way to live by dying.