Upon Himself

I COULD never love indeed;
Never see mine own heart bleed:
Never crucify my life,
Or for widow, maid, or wife.

I could never seek to please
One or many mistresses :
Never like their lips to swear
Oil of roses still smelt there.

I could never break my sleep, 
Fold mine arms, sob, sigh, or weep:
Never beg, or humbly woo
With oaths and lies, as others do.

I could never walk alone;
Put a shirt of sackcloth on:
Never keep a fast, or pray
For good luck in love that day.

But have hitherto lived free
As the air that circles me :
And kept credit with my heart,
Neither broke in the whole, or part. 

                      - by Robert Herrick