The Expostulation

Tell me, ye juster deities,That pity lovers' miseries,Why should my own unworthinessFright me to seek my happiness?It is as natural as just5Him for to love, whom needs I must:All men confess that love's a fire;Then who denies it to aspire?

Tell me, if thou wert fortune's thrall,Would'st thou not raise thee from the fall,10Seek only to o'erlook thy stateWhereto thou art condemn'd by fate?Then let me love my Coridon,And, by love's leave, him love alone:For I have read of stories oft,15That love hath wings and soars aloft.

Then let me grow in my desire,Though I be martyr'd in that fire;For grace it is enough for me,But only to love such as he:20For never shall my thoughts be base,Though luckless, yet without disgrace:Then let him that my love shall blameOr clip love's wings, or quench love's flame.