The Frog and Lover

That same which takes life from thee,
Revives life again in me.

Does Cupid dally with men's fancies thus,
For our fortunes run contrary to what's best for us;
For lo, there runs Kate with a frog which in her hand she keeps:
And casts him off which, for her sake,
On its knees back to her again it creeps.

Wherefore I pray thee tell me, frog,
Why may not I obtain
That which to you means loss of life,
But for me is that which revives again?

Why are we thus crossed in our wills,
Which each so much would like to have?
The foul pond for you, and the fair maiden for me,
Which both our lives might save!

One man's meat is another man's poison,
but if a woman's love is involved,
then perhaps neither gets either.