ABSENCE, hear thou my protestation
   Against thy strength,
   Distance and length:
Do what thou canst for alteration,
   For hearts of truest mettle
   Absence doth join and Time doth settle.

Who loves a mistress of such quality,
   His mind hath found
   Affection's ground
Beyond time, place, and all mortality.
   To hearts that cannot vary
   Absence is present, Time doth tarry.

My senses want their outward motion
   Which now within
   Reason doth win,
Redoubled by her secret notion:
   Like rich men that take pleasure
   In hiding more than handling treasure.

By Absence this good means I gain,
   That I can catch her
   Where none can watch her,
In some close corner of my brain:
   There I embrace and kiss her,
   And so enjoy her and none miss her.