Learn if you must, but do not come to me
For truth of what your pleasant neighbor says
Behind you of your looks or of your ways,
Or of your worth and virtue generally;
If he's a pleasure to you, let him be —
Being the same to him; and let your days
Be tranquil, having each the other's praise,
And each his own opinions peaceably.
Two others once did love each other well,
Yet not so well but that a punguent word
From each came stinging home to the wrong ears.
The rest would be an overflow to tell,
Surely; and you may have slowly inferred
That you may not be here a thousand years.