Part I 1 Dost thou know, my world is but a candle?:
2 A flicker of fragile flame who fights to exist.
3 And that which blow faster than flame can handle,
4 Oft extinguish that light which fights to persist.
5 When thou depart, it takes its knavish shape:
6 That wind to end put my refulgent state.
7 Desolate left am I, lachrymose, bereft-
8 By wind whose breath is malice deft.
9 Dost thou know, thy presence make seasons?
10 To be here, thou cajoles the earth into spring,
11 Whilst thy absence winter use as its reason
12 And the ears of earth to thy migration cling.
13 And I, but a candle, am season subject,
14 So thy absence the weather badly infect,
15 To with winter and wind, flame extirpate
16 And with distance destroy my mirthful state.
Part II 17 Dost thou know, from when absence thy return,
18 That privation may un-spin, disdain may unmake,
19 And the fragile flicker flame may willing burn
20 To warmth and pleasure share that thou may take?
21 For I, but a candle, wish thou would so
22 Return in redress to thou leavings blow;
23 Instead of dolor, that absence employ,
24 Could elation find and in present enjoy.
25 Dost thou know thy return must be quick?
26 Once flame is unlit, and wax is grown cold,
27 Thou can’t restore flicker flame to fragile wick:
28 For way to dusty death will wick uphold.
29 For to light, and light, and again relight,
30 Is more than should be the candle plight.
31 Leave not, and if so, have it return came
32 Quick enough, that would safe harbor the flame.