THE PASSIONATE PILGRIM (3)

 III. Did not the heavenly rhetoric¹ of thine eye, 'Gainst whom the world could not hold argument. Persuade my heart to this false perjury²？ Vows⁴ for thee broke deserve not punishment. A woman I forswore； but I will prove, Thou being a goddess, I forswore not thee： My vow³ was earthly, thou a heavenly love： Thy grace being gain'd cures all disgrace in me. My vow was breath, and breath a vapour is； Then, thou fair sun, that on this earth doth shine, Exhale⁵ this vapour vow； in thee it is： If broken, then it is no fault of mine. If by me broke, what fool is not so wise To break an oath, to win a paradise？