He that cannot chuse but love,
And strives against it still,
Never shall my fancy move;
For he loves 'gaynst his will;
Nor he which is all his own,
And can att pleasure chuse,
When I am caught he can be gone,
And when he list refuse.
Nor he that loves none but faire,
For such by all are sought;
Nor he that can for foul ones care,
For his Judgement then is nought:
Nor he that hath wit, for he
Will make me his jest or slave;
Nor a fool, for when others...,
He can neither....
Nor he that still his Mistresse payes,
For she is thrall'd therefore:
Nor he that payes not, for he sayes
Within, shee's worth no more.
Is there then no kinde of men
Whom I may freely prove?
I will vent that humour then
In mine own selfe love.
[<Selfe Love.> title given by Chambers: no title, 1650-69
(in appendix), JC, O'F]
[4 'gaynst JC, O'F: against 1650-69]
[6 And can ... chuse, JC: And cannot pleasure chuse,
1650-69: And can all pleasures chuse, O'F]
[11 foul ones] fouleness O'F]
[14 slave; 1719: slave 1650-69]
[15 fool, 1719: fool 1650-69]
[17 payes, JC, O'F: prays, 1650-69]
[19 payes not,] payes, not, 1650-69]
[20 Within, Ed: Within 1650-69]