To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking

Portrait of Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick 1591–1674

You say I love not, 'cause I do not play Still with your curls, and kiss the time away. You blame me, too, because I can't devise Some sport to please those babies in your eyes;— By love's religion, I must here confess it, The most I love, when I the least express it. Small griefs find tongues; full casks are never found To give, if any, yet but little sound. Deep waters noiseless are; and this we know, That chiding streams betray small depth below. So when love speechless is, she doth express A depth in love, and that depth bottomless. Now since my love is tongueless, know me such, Who speak but little, 'cause I love so much.

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