ABSENCE hear thou my protestation
Against thy strength
Distance and length:
Do what thou canst for alteration
For hearts of truest mettle 5
Absence doth join and Time doth settle.
Who loves a mistress of such quality
His mind hath found
Affection's ground
Beyond time place and all mortality. 10
To hearts that cannot vary
Absence is present Time doth tarry.
My senses want their outward motion
Which now within
Reason doth win 15
Redoubled by her secret notion:
Like rich men that take pleasure
In hiding more than handling treasure.
By Absence this good means I gain
That I can catch her 20
Where none can watch her
In some close corner of my brain:
There I embrace and kiss her
And so enjoy her and none miss her.
