ABSENCE, hear thou my protestation br    Against thy strength, br    Distance and length: br Do what thou canst for alteration, br    For hearts of truest mettle br    Absence doth join and Time doth settle. br br Who loves a mistress of such quality, br    His mind hath found br    Affection's ground br Beyond time, place, and all mortality. br    To hearts that cannot vary br    Absence is present, Time doth tarry. br br My senses want their outward motion br    Which now within br    Reason doth win, br Redoubled by her secret notion: br    Like rich men that take pleasure br    In hiding more than handling treasure. br br By Absence this good means I gain, br    That I can catch her br    Where none can watch her, br In some close corner of my brain: br    There I embrace and kiss her, br    And so enjoy her and none miss her.