Negative Love

by John Donne

　　Which on an eye, cheek, lip, can prey;

　　 Seldom to them which soar no higher

　　 Than virtue, or the mind to admire.

　　For sense and understanding may

　　 Know what gives fuel to their fire;

　　My love, though silly, is more brave;

　　For may I miss, whene'er I crave,

　　If I know yet what I would have.

　　If that be simply perfectest,

　　Which can by no way be express'd

　　 But negatives, my love is so.

　　 To all, which all love, I say no.

　　If any who deciphers best,

　　 What we know not—ourselves—can know,

　　Let him teach me that nothing. This

　　As yet my ease and comfort is,

　　Though I speed not, I cannot miss.