“Though I am young, and cannot tell”

Though I am young, and cannot tell

    Either what Death or Love is well,

Yet I have heard they both bear darts,

    And both do aim at human hearts.

And then again, I have been told

    Love wounds with heat, as Death with cold;

So that I fear they do but bring

    Extremes to touch, and mean one thing.

As in a ruin we it call

    One thing to be blown up, or fall;

Or to our end like way may have

    By a flash of lightning, or a wave;

So Love’s inflamèd shaft or brand

    May kill as soon as Death’s cold hand;

Except Love’s fires the virtue have

    To fright the frost out of the grave.