Ho, ye lovers, list to me; <br />Warning words have I for thee: <br />Give ye heed, hefore ye wed, <br />To this thing Sir Chaucer said: <br /> <br />"Love wol not be constrained by maistrie, <br />When maistrie cometh, the god of love anon <br />Beteth his winges, and farewel, he is gon." <br /> <br />Other poets knew as well, <br />And the same sad story tell, <br />Hark ye, heed ye, while ye may, <br />What the worldly Pope doth say: <br /> <br />"Love, free as air, at sight of human ties <br />Spreads his light wings and in a moment flies." <br /> <br />This, Sir Hudibras, brave knight, <br />Faithful lover, constant wight, <br />From his lady's lips did hear; <br />Mark ye, eke, the warning clear: <br /> <br />"Love is too generous t'abide <br />To be against its nature ty'd, <br />For where 'tis of itself inclin'd, <br />It breaks loose when it is confin'd." <br /> <br />Ho, ye lovers, shall I tell <br />How through life with Love to dwell, <br />Spite of all the poets say? <br />Harken to the easy way:-- <br /> <br />Strive to bind him not, but see <br />That the little god binds thee.<br /><br />Ellis Parker Butler<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-lovers/
