I.

Know , Love is not by Precept taught,
Nor what it is, can Reason prove,
Above Expression, above Thought,
Instinct, by which, our Senses move;
Which, by denying, is confest,
And is express'd, by Dumbness, best:

II.

By good Sense, is but worse made out,
Prov'd best, but by Men's Speaking Eyes.
Whilst Reason brings it more in Doubt,
And it, our Madness justifies;
By Kindness, without Sense, made good,
And Arguments, not understood.

III.

I less can tell you, what it is,
(As you say,) by good Sense, or Wit,
Shou'd I, by Reason, at it guess,
I prove, I nothing know of it;
For Love, like Courage, we prove best,
When of it, we our selves, say least.

IV.

Not making Public Pray'r to you,
Proves my Devotion, to you more,
As Saints, in Ecstasies, best show
Their Deity, they more adore;
Make more their Faith, and Zeal appear,
By making to it no loud Pray'r.

V.

You may, be sure, I love you, since
I ne'r yet of it spoke to you,
My Silence Thee, shou'd best convince,
Above Words, does my Passion grow;
So Love at once, I make, and prove,
By making to you, no Lip-Love.

VI.

You say, That Love is Madness, then,
If I cou'd tell you, why 'tis so,
My Reason for it, less were seen,
The more I'd for it, Reason show;
Since Love is Faith, as Faith, we Love
More, by mad Zeal, than Reason, prove.