Part 2 — TO A LADY ASKING HIM HOW LONG HE WOULD LOVE HER
Reading edition
It is not, Celia, in our power To say how long our love will last; It may be we within this hour May lose those joys we now do taste: The Blessed, that immortal be, From change in love are only free.
Then since we mortal lovers are, Ask not how long our love will last; But while it does, let us take care Each minute be with pleasure passed: Were it not madness to deny To live because we're sure to die?
George Etherege [1635?-1691]