Jewels are but glassy stones and beauty cold
As in your warm and laughing eyes I gaze.
Nature's delights fare poor as I behold
Each turn of form and tress of hair displayed.
Love quickly stirs from many years of sleep
Leaving my heart a sudden pris'ner, all
Escape forbidden as I strive to keep
From harm my soul, now wholly in your thrall.
Once only can a man endure the pain
Realising that his nascent love is waste.
Rather I would fain never feel again
Effecting thus my flight from hurt with haste.
So then, to save myself, this plea I own:
Tear out my heart--replace it with a stone.