Classic Poem

Well-shadowed landskip, fare-ye-well:
How I have loved you, none can tell,
At least so well
As he that now hates more
Then e'er he loved before.

But my dear nothings, take your leave;
No longer must you me deceive,
Since I perceive
All the deceit, and know
Whence the mistake did grow.

As he whose quicker eye doth trace
A false star shot to a marked place
Does run apace,
And thinking it to catch
A jelly up does snatch,

So our dull souls, tasting delight
Far off, by sense, and appetite,
Think that is right
And real good, when yet
'Tis but the counterfeit.

Oh, how I glory now that I
Have made this new discovery!
Each wanton eye
Enflamed before; no more
Will I increase that score.

If I gaze now, 'tis but to see
What manner of death's-head 'twill be,
When it is free
From that fresh upper skin,
The gazer's joy, and sin.

The gum and glistening which with art
And studied method in each part
Hangs down the hair--'t
Looks just as if that day
Snails there had crawled the hay.

The locks that curled o'er each ear be
Hang like two master-worms to me,
That (as we see)
Have tasted to the rest
Two holes, where they like 't best.

A quick corse methinks I spy
In every woman; and mine eye,
At passing by,
Checks, and is troubled, just
As if it rose from dust.

They mortify not heighten me;
These of my sins the glasses be:
And here I see
How I have loved before.
And so I love no more.