Ametas and Thestylis Making Hay-ropes
1
AMETAS
Think’st thou that this love can stand,
Whilst thou still dost say me nay?
Love unpaid does soon disband:
Love binds love as hay binds hay.
2
THESTYLIS
Think’st thou that this rope would twine
If we both should turn one way?
Where both parties so combine,
Neither love will twist nor hay.
3
AMETAS
Thus you vain excuses find,
Which yourselves and us delay:
And love ties a woman’s mind
Looser than with ropes of hay.
4
THESTYLIS
What you cannot constant hope
Must be taken as you may.
5
AMETAS
Then let’s both lay by our rope,
And go kiss within the hay.
Source:
Complete Poems
(1996)
