Unconquerable and inviolate
Is Love; servant and sov’ reign of man’ s wit:
Though the light-wingèd fancy changeful flit,
She rules unswervingly her fair estate,
O’ erbears mischance and error, envy and hate;
High intellect, ambition, passion, pride,
Endowments that capricious Fortune brings,
By her disfranchisements are set aside;
The mistress she alike of slaves and kings,
Empress of Earth’ s dominions, far and wide,
Eldest of potentates, and latest born.
Of all in Heaven above or Earth below,
No being so illustrious or forlorn,
That to Love’ s sceptre doth not gladly bow.