| THUS can my love excuse the slow offence | |
| Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed: | |
| From where thou art why should I haste me thence? | |
| Till I return, of posting is no need. | |
| O! what excuse will my poor beast then find, | 5 |
| When swift extremity can seem but slow? | |
| Then should I spur, though mounted on the wind, | |
| In winged speed no motion shall I know: | |
| Then can no horse with my desire keep pace; | |
| Therefore desire, of perfect’st love being made, | 10 |
| Shall neigh—no dull flesh—in his fiery race; | |
| But love, for love, thus shall excuse my jade,— | |
| ‘Since from thee going he went wilful-slow, | |
| Towards thee I ’ll run, and give him leave to go.’ |