The Shadow

Ben Jonson.
1573–1637

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 or 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?