Tell me, true Love

Tell me, true Love, where shall I seek thy being?
In thoughts or words, in vows or promise making?
In reasons, looks, or passions never seeing?
In men on earth, or women’s minds partaking?
Thou canst not die; and therefore, living, tell me,
Where is thy seat? Why doth this age expel thee?

When thoughts are still unseen, and words disguised;
Vows are not sacred held, nor promise debt:
By passion Reason’s glory is surprised;
In neither sex is true love firmly set.
Thoughts feigned, words false, vows and promise broken
Made true Love fly from earth; this is the token.

Mount then, my thoughts; here is for thee no dwelling,
Since truth and falsehood live like twins together.
Believe not Sense, eyes, ears, touch, taste or smelling;
Both Art and Nature’s forced; put trust in neither.
One only she doth true Love captive bind
In fairest breast, but in a fairer mind.

O fairest mind, enriched with Love’s residing,
Retain the best; in hearts, let some seed fall!
Instead of weeds, Love’s fruits may have abiding;
At harvest you shall reap increase of all.
O happy Love! More happy man that finds thee,
Most happy Saint that keeps, restores, unbinds thee!