Virtue's Cloak

Can she excuse my wrongs with virtue's cloak?
Shall I call her good when she
When she proves unkind?
Are those clear fires which vanish to smoke?
Must I praise the leaves where no
Where no fruit I find?

No, no, where shadows do for bodies stand
Thou may'st be abused, thy sight be dim
Cold love is like two words written on sand
Or bubbles which on
Which on the waters swim

Better a thousand times to die
Than to live tormented
Dear, remember it was I
Who for thy sake did die

If she will yield to that which reason is
It is reason's will that love
That love should be just
Dear, make me happy still by granting this
Or cut off delays if that I die must