Poetical Works of Edmund Waller and Sir John Denham

An Apology for Having Loved Before

1 They that never had the use
  Of the grape’s surprising juice,
  To the first delicious cup
  All their reason render up;
  Neither do, nor care to know,
  Whether it be best or no.

2 So they that are to love inclined,
  Sway’d by chance, not choice or art,
  To the first that’s fair, or kind,
  Make a present of their heart;
  ’Tis not she that first we love,
  But whom dying we approve.

3 To man, that was in th’ev’ning made,
  Stars gave the first delight,
  Admiring, in the gloomy shade,
  Those little drops of light;
  Then at Aurora, whose fair hand
  Removed them from the skies,
  He gazing t’ward the east did stand,
  She entertain’d his eyes.

4 But when the bright sun did appear,
  All those he ‘gan despise;
  His wonder was determined there,
  And could no higher rise;
  He neither might, nor wished to know
  A more refulgent light;
  For that (as mine your beauties now)
  Employ’d his utmost sight.