Pleading Want Of Merit.[40:1]

Dear, urge no more the killing cause Of our divorce: Love is not fetter'd by such laws, Nor bows to any force. Though thou deniest I should be thine, Yet say not thou deserv'st not to be mine!

Oh, rather frown away my breath With thy disdain, Or flatter me with smiles to death; By joy or sorrow slain, 'Tis less crime to be kill'd by thee, Than I thus cause of mine[40:2] own death should be.

Thyself of beauty to divest, And me of love, Or from the worth of thine own breast Thus to detract, would prove In us a blindness, and in thee At best a sacrilegious modesty.

But, Celia,[40:3] if thou wilt despise What all admire, Nor rate thyself at the just price Of beauty or desire, Yet meet my flames! and thou shalt see That equal love knows no disparity.