Book 1 — XII PRESENT IN ABSENCE

Absence, hear thou this protestation Against thy strength, Distance, and length; Do what thou canst for alteration: For hearts of truest mettle Absence doth join, and Time doth settle. Who loves a mistress of such quality, His mind hath found Affection's ground Beyond time, place, and mortality. To hearts that cannot vary Absence is present, Time doth tarry. By absence this good means I gain, That I can catch her, Where none can match her, In some close corner of my brain: There I embrace and kiss her; And so I both enjoy and miss her.