Poem by Thomas Carew

Mediocrity in Love Rejected

Give me more love or more disdain;
The torrid, or the frozen zone,
Bring equal ease unto my pain;
The temperate affords me none;
Either extreme, of love, or hate,
Is sweeter than a calm estate.

Give me a storm; if it be love,
Like Danae in that golden show'r
I swim in pleasure; if it prove
Disdain, that torrent will devour
My vulture-hopes; and he's possess'd
Of heaven, that's but from hell releas'd.

Then crown my joys, or cure my pain;
Give me more love, or more disdain. 

1. Epitaph for Maria Wentworth
2. I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair
3. Murdering Beauty
4. Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud
5. Secrecy Protested

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