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That they in loving pairs may mate,

And duly thus perpetuate

Their varied kinds with joyance rare,

Alike in water, earth, and air.

All creatures that Dame Earth doth own

For children, to this love are prone;

Which though it profits divers ways,

Yet casts no blame, nor merits praise,

For neither is it good or bad,

But since the world first rose it had

Its laws, and following those, no wrong,

Or vice, or blame, thereto belong,

But grievous wrong ’twere to reject

Dame Nature, and her laws neglect.

For instance, he who eats his food

Scarce merits praise as wise and good

Therefor, but he who nought at all

Will eat, a fool we justly call.

’Tis not this love, I doubt, that thou

Wouldst give thy heart to, but I trow

A love more mad dost thou design

To spend thy youth on; O incline

Thine ear to my advice, and leave

That love, it flattereth to deceive.

But prithee, dream not that my will

It is no loving friend should fill

Thy heart. Wilt thou not for thy love

Take me? Am I not fair above

Ten thousand, fit to rule the home

Of him who reigns o’er mighty Rome?