Once Upon It, I Have Loved

Once Upon It, I Have Loved

Out upon it! I have loved

Three whole days together;

And am like to love three more,

If it prove fair weather.

Time shall moult away his wings

Ere he shall discover

In the whole wide world again

Such a constant lover.

But the spite on’tis, no praise

Is due at all to me:

Love with me had made no stays

Had it any but she.

Had it any been but she,

And that very face,

There had been at least ere this

A dozen dozen in her place.

Sir John Suckling (1609-42)