Now what is Love, I pray thee, tell? <br />It is that fountain and that well <br />Where pleasure and repentance dwell; <br />It is, perhaps, the sauncing bell <br />That tolls all into heaven or hell; <br />And this is Love, as I hear tell. <br /> <br />Yet what is Love, I prithee, say? <br />It is a work on holiday, <br />It is December matched with May, <br />When lusty bloods in fresh array <br />Hear ten months after of the play; <br />And this is Love, as I hear say. <br /> <br />Yet what is Love, good shepherd, sain? <br />It is a sunshine mixed with rain, <br />It is a toothache or like pain, <br />It is a game where none hath gain; <br />The lass saith no, yet would full fain; <br />And this is Love, as I hear sain. <br /> <br />Yet, shepherd, what is Love, I pray? <br />It is a yes, it is a nay, <br />A pretty kind of sporting fray, <br />It is a thing will soon away. <br />Then, nymphs, take vantage while ye may; <br />And this is Love, as I hear say. <br /> <br />Yet what is Love, good shepherd, show? <br />A thing that creeps, it cannot go, <br />A prize that passeth to and fro, <br />A thing for one, a thing for moe, <br />And he that proves shall find it so; <br />And shepherd, this is Love, I trow.<br /><br />Sir Walter Raleigh<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/now-what-is-love/
