The Works of Sir John Suckling in prose and verse/The Careless Lover

by John Suckling

THE CARELESS LOVER

1

Never believe me, if I love,

Or know what 'tis, or mean to prove;
And yet in faith I lie, I do,
And she's extremely handsome too:
⁠She's fair, she's wondrous fair,5
⁠But I care not who know it,
⁠Ere I'll die for love, I'll fairly forego it.

2

This heat of hope, or cold of fear,

My foolish heart could never bear:
One sigh imprison'd ruins more10
Than earthquakes have done heretofore:
⁠She's fair, etc.

3

When I am hungry, I do eat,

And cut no fingers 'stead of meat;
Nor with much gazing on her face15
Do e'er rise hungry from the place:
⁠She's fair, etc.

4

A gentle round fill'd to the brink

To this and t' other friend I drink;
And when 'tis nam'd another's health,20
I never make it hers by stealth:
⁠She's fair, etc.

5

Black-Friars to me, and old Whitehall,

Is even as much as is the fall
Of fountains on a pathless grove,25
And nourishes as much my love:
⁠She's fair, etc.

6

I visit, talk, do business, play,

And for a need laugh out a day:
Who does not thus in Cupid's school,30
He makes not love, but plays the fool:
⁠She's fair, etc.