Ben Jonson

It will never come out of the flesh that's bred in the bone.

It will never come out of the flesh that's bred in the bone.

'Tis no sin love's fruits to steal;
But the sweet thefts to reveal;
To be taken, to read more

'Tis no sin love's fruits to steal;
But the sweet thefts to reveal;
To be taken, to be seen,
These have crimes accounted been.

But I do hate him as I hate the devil.

But I do hate him as I hate the devil.

If he were
To be made honest by an act of parliament
I should not alter in read more

If he were
To be made honest by an act of parliament
I should not alter in my faith of him.

Follow a shadow, it still flies you,
Seem to fly, it will pursue:
So court a mistress, read more

Follow a shadow, it still flies you,
Seem to fly, it will pursue:
So court a mistress, she denies you;
Let her alone, she will court you.
Say are not women truly, then,
Styled but the shadows of us men?