how long will he love her??

Sir George Etherege (ca. 1635-1691)

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To a Lady, Asking him how Long he would Love her

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1 It is not, Celia, in our power

2 To say how long our love will last;

3 It may be we within this hour

4 May lose those joys we now do taste:

5 The blessed, that immortal be,

6 From change in love are only free.

7 Then, since we mortal lovers are,

8 Ask not how long our love will last;

9 But while it does, let us take care

10 Each minute be with pleasure past.

11 Were it not madness to deny

12 To live, because w'are sure to die?