Though I Am Young and Cannot Tell

written by


« Reload image

Though I am young, and cannot tell
  Either what Death or Love is well,
Yet I have heard they both bear darts,
  And both do aim at human hearts.
And then again, I have been told
  Love wounds with heat, as Death with cold;
So that I fear they do but bring
  Extremes to touch, and mean one thing.

As in a ruin we it call
  One thing to be blown up, or fall;
Or to our end like way may have
  By a flash of lightning, or a wave;
So Love’s inflamèd shaft or brand
  May kill as soon as Death’s cold hand;
Except Love’s fires the virtue have
  To fight the frost out of the grave.

© Benjamin Jonson