VII.

_Absence._

That time and absence proves Rather helps than hurts to loves.

Probably by John Hoskins.

Absence heare my protestation Against thy strengthe Distance and lengthe, Doe what thou canst for alteration: For harts of truest mettall 5 Absence doth joyne, and time doth settle.

Who loves a Mistris of right quality, His mind hath founde Affections grounde Beyond time, place, and all mortality: 10 To harts that cannot vary Absence is present, time doth tary:

My Sences want their outward motion Which now within Reason doth win, 15 Redoubled by her secret notion: Like rich men that take pleasure In hidinge more then handling treasure.

By absence this good means I gaine That I can catch her 20 Where none can watch her In some close corner of my braine: There I embrace and there kiss her, And so enjoye her, and so misse her.

[Absence. _The Grove_ (_1721_): _do. or no title_, _B_, _Cy_, _HN_ (_signed_ J. H.), _L74_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_ (_the text here printed_): _also in_ Davison's Poetical Rhapsody (_PR_) _1602_ _and_ (_a maimed and altered version_) _in Wit Restored_ (_WR_) _1658_]

[1 heare _B_, _S96_, _Grove_: heare thou _Cy_, _HN_, _L74_, _PR_, _S_, _WR_]

[3 Distance] Disdayne _HN_]

[4 you can _PR_: yee dare _HN_]

[5 For hearts where love's refined _WR_]

[6 Are absent joyned, by tyme combined. _WR_]

[7 right _S96_: such _Grove_, _HN_, _L74_, _PR_]

[8 He soon hath found _PR_]

[10 all] _om._ _WR_]

[11 To] That _WR_]

[12 present] presence _B_

tary] carry _WR_]

[13 motion] motions _PR_]

[16 by ... notion:] in ... notions: _PR_: in ... notion _HN_]

[18 hidinge] finding _Grove_]

[19 means] mean _WR_]

[23 There I embrace and there kiss her, _S96_: There I embrace her, and _&c._ _L74_: There I embrace and there I kiss her, _B_, _O'F_, _WR_: There I embrace and kiss her, _Grove_, _HN_, _PR_]

[24 and so misse her _B_, _Cy_, _HN_, _L74_, _O'F_, _S96_, _WR_: while none misse her. _Grove_: I both enjoy and miss her. _PR_]