The Works of Sir John Suckling in prose and verse/Love and Debt Alike Troublesome
LOVE AND DEBT ALIKE TROUBLESOME
This one request I make to him that sits the clouds above,
That I were freely out of debt, as I am out of love.
Then for to dance, to drink and sing, I should be very willing,
I should not owe one lass a kiss, nor ne'er a knave a shilling.
'Tis only being in love and debt that breaks us of our rest;5
And he that is quite out of both, of all the world is blest:
He sees the golden age, wherein all things were free and common;
He eats, he drinks, he takes his rest, he fears no man nor woman.
Though Crœsus compassed great wealth, yet he still craved more,
He was as needy a beggar still, as goes from door to door.10
Though Ovid were a merry man, love ever kept him sad;
He was as far from happiness as one that is stark mad.
Our merchant he in goods is rich, and full of gold and treasure;
But when he thinks upon his debts, that thought destroys his pleasure.
Our courtier thinks that he's preferr'd, whom every man envies;15
When love so rumbles in his pate, no sleep comes in his eyes.
Our gallant's case is worst of all, he lies so just betwixt them;
For he's in love and he's in debt, and knows not which most vex him.
But he that can eat beef, and feed on bread which is so brown,
May satisfy his appetite, and owe no man a crown;20
And he that is content with lasses clothed in plain woollen,
May cool his heat in every place: he need not to be sullen,
Nor sigh for love of lady fair: for this each wise man knows—
As good stuff under flannel lies, as under silken clothes.