from Hero and Leander: "It lies not in our power to love or hate"

It lies not in our power to love or hate,

For will in us is overruled by fate.

When two are stripped, long ere the course begin,

We wish that one should love, the other win;

And one especially do we affect

Of two gold ingots, like in each respect:

The reason no man knows; let it suffice

What we behold is censured by our eyes.

Where both deliberate, the love is slight:

Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?

I like these old poems to think about. I have a link to learn more about this poet here. http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/christopher-marlowe

Old poetry