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Though I Am Young and Cannot Tell(1640)

Ben Jonson

Though I am young, and cannot tell
MeterThough I am young, and cannot tell
Either what Death or Love is well,
MeterEither what Death or Love is well,
Yet I have heard they both bear darts,
MeterYet I have heard they both bear darts,
And both do aim at human hearts.
MeterAnd both do aim at human hearts.
And then again, I have been told
MeterAnd then again, I have been told
Love wounds with heat, as Death with cold;
MeterLove wounds with heat, as Death with cold;
So that I fear they do but bring
MeterSo that I fear they do but bring
Extremes to touch, and mean one thing.
MeterExtremes to touch, and mean one thing.

As in a ruin we it call
MeterAs in a ruin we it call
One thing to be blown up, or fall;
MeterOne thing to be blown up, or fall;
Or to our end like way may have
MeterOr to our end like way may have
By a flash of lightning, or a wave;
MeterBy a flash of lightning, or a wave;
So Love’s inflamèd shaft or brand
MeterSo Love’s inflamèd shaft or brand
May kill as soon as Death’s cold hand;
MeterMay kill as soon as Death’s cold hand;
Except Love’s fires the virtue have
MeterExcept Love’s fires the virtue have
To fright the frost out of the grave.
MeterTo fright the frost out of the grave.

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