Ben Jonson (1572–1637)

FOLLOW a shadow, it still flies you,

Seem to fly it, it will pursue;

So court a mistress, she denies you,

Let her alone, she will court you.

Say, are not women truly then

Styled but the shadows of us men?

At morn and even, shades are longest;

At noon, they are short or none;

So men at weakest, they are strongest,

But grant us perfect, they’re not known.

Say, are not women truly then

Styled but the shadows of us men?