Selfe-Love

He that cannot chuse but love.
And strives against it still.
Never shall my fancy move.
For he loves 'gaynst his will;
Nor he which is all his own.
And can att pleasure chuse;
When I am caught he can be gone.
And when he list refuse.
Nor he that loves none but faire.
For such by all are sought;
Nor he that can for foul ones care.
For his Judgement then is naught:
Nor he that hath wit, for he
Will make me his jest or slave;
Nor a fool, for when others ...,
He can neither ......
Nor he that still his Mistresse payes,
For she is thrall'd therefore:
Nor he that payes not, for he sayes
Within, shee's worth no more.
Is there then no kind of men
Whom I may freely prove?
I will vent that humour then
In mine own selfe love.

—John Donne, quoted in The Worm Ouroboros, by E.R. Eddison.