s: Of blessed Saints for to increase the count.


s: So let us rest, sweet love, in hope of this,


s: And cease till then our tymely joyes to sing:


s: The woods no more us answer, nor our eccho ring!


s: With which my love should duly have been dect,


s: Which cutting off through hasty accidents,


s: Ye would not stay your dew time to expect,


s: And for short time an endlesse moniment.


s: tead] torch.  ruddock] redbreast.  croud] violin.


s: Whil'st yet her leafe was greene, and fresh her rinde,


s: And whil'st her braunch faire blossomes foorth did bring,


s: She fell away against all course of kinde.


s: For age to dye is right, but youth is wrong;


s: She fel away like fruit blowne downe with winde.


s: Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.


s: Ne dyde with dread and grudging discontent,


s: But as one toyld with travaile downe doth lye,


s: So lay she downe, as if to sleepe she went,


s: And closde her eyes with carelesse quietnesse;


s: The whiles soft death away her spirit hent,


s: And soule assoyld from sinfull fleshlinesse.


s: The Shepheards daughters dauncing in a rownd!


s: How trimly would she trace and softly tread


s: The tender grasse, with rosie garland crownd!


s: And when she list advance her heavenly voyce,


s: Both Nymphes and Muses nigh she made astownd,


s: And flocks and shepheards caused to rejoyce.


s: But now, ye Shepheard lasses! who shall lead


s: Your wandring troupes, or sing your virelayes?


s: Or who shall dight your bowres, sith she is dead


s: Let now your blisse be turned into bale,


s: And into plaints convert your joyous playes,


s: And with the same fill every hill and dale.


s: For I will walke this wandring pilgrimage,


s: Throughout the world from one to other end,


s: My bread shall be the anguish of my mind,


s: My drink the teares which fro mine eyed do raine,


s: My bed the ground that hardest I may finde;


s: Ne sleepe (the harbenger of wearie wights)


s: Shall ever lodge upon mine ey-lids more;


s: Ne shall with rest refresh my fainting sprights,


s: Nor failing force to former strength restore:


s: But I will wake and sorrow all the night


s: With Philumene, the partner of my plight.


s: And under ground to goe to give them light


s: Which dwell in darknes, I to minde will call


s: How my fair Starre (that shinde on me so bright)


s: Since whose departure, day is turnd to night,


s: And night without a Venus starre is found.


s: And she, my love that was, my Saint that is,


s: When she beholds from her celestiall throne


s: Th' importune fates, which vengeance on me seeke,


s: And th' heavens with long languor pacifide,


s: She, for pure pitie of my sufferance meeke,


s: Will send for me; for which I daylie long:


s: And will till then my painful penance eeke.


s: Weep, Shepheard! weep, to make my undersong!


s: MOST glorious Lord of Lyfe! that, on this day,


s: Didst make Thy triumph over death and sin;


s: And, having harrowd hell, didst bring away


s: This joyous day, deare Lord, with joy begin;


s: And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dye,


s: Being with Thy deare blood clene washt from sin,


s: May likewise love Thee for the same againe;


s: And for Thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy,


s: So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought,


s: --Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.


s: His mother's doves, and team of sparrows;


s: Growing on 's cheek (but none knows how);


s: Now at heaven's gate she claps her wings,


s: The winds blew calm, the birds did sing,


s: MY true love hath my heart, and I have his,


s: I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss,


s: There never was a better bargain driven:


s: My true love hath my heart, and I have his.


s: His heart in me keeps him and me in one,


s: My heart in him his thoughts and senses guides:


s: He loves my heart, for once it was his own,


s: THE Nightingale, as soon as April bringeth


s: While late-bare Earth, proud of new clothing, springeth,


s: Sings out her woes, a thorn her song-book making;


s: For Tereus' force on her chaste will prevailing.


s: That here is juster cause of plaintful sadness!


s: Thy thorn without, my thorn my heart invadeth.


s: Alas! she hath no other cause of anguish


s: But Tereus' love, on her by strong hand wroken;


s: Wherein she suffering, all her spirits languish,


s: Full womanlike complains her will was broken


s: Since wanting is more woe than too much having.


s: HIGHWAY, since you my chief Parnassus be,


s: And that my Muse, to some ears not unsweet,


s: Tempers her words to trampling horses' feet


s: To her, where I my heart, safe-left, shall meet;


s: With thanks and wishes, wishing thankfully;


s: Be you still fair, honour'd by public heed;


s: By no encroachment wrong'd, nor time forgot;


s: Nor blamed for blood, nor shamed for sinful deed;


s: Of highest wish, I wish you so much bliss,


s: Hundreds of years you Stella's feet may kiss!


s: WITH how sad steps, O moon, thou climb'st the skies!


s: What! may it be that even in heavenly place


s: That busy archer his sharp arrows tries?


s: Sure, if that long-with-love-acquainted eyes


s: Can judge of love, thou feel'st a lover's case:


s: I read it in thy looks; thy languish'd grace


s: To me, that feel the like, thy state descries.


s: Then, even of fellowship, O Moon, tell me,


s: Is constant love deem'd there but want of wit?


s: Are beauties there as proud as here they be?


s: Those lovers scorn whom that love doth possess?


s: Do they call 'virtue' there--ungratefulness?


s: COME, Sleep; O Sleep! the certain knot of peace,


s: The baiting-place of wit, the balm of woe,


s: The poor man's wealth, the prisoner's release,


s: Th' indifferent judge between the high and low;


s: With shield of proof shield me from out the prease


s: Of those fierce darts Despair at me doth throw:


s: Take thou of me smooth pillows, sweetest bed,


s: A chamber deaf to noise and blind of light,


s: And if these things, as being thine by right,


s: Move not thy heavy grace, thou shalt in me,


s: Livelier than elsewhere, Stella's image see.


s: LEAVE me, O Love, which reachest but to dust,


s: And thou, my mind, aspire to higher things!


s: Grow rich in that which never taketh rust:


s: Whatever fades, but fading pleasure brings.


s: Draw in thy beams, and humble all thy might


s: To that sweet yoke where lasting freedoms be;


s: Which breaks the clouds and opens forth the light


s: That doth both shine and give us sight to see.


s: O take fast hold! let that light be thy guide


s: In this small course which birth draws out to death,


s: And think how evil becometh him to slide


s: Who seeketh Heaven, and comes of heavenly breath.


s: Then farewell, world! thy uttermost I see:


s: I, WITH whose colours Myra dress'd her head,


s: I, that ware posies of her own hand-making,


s: I, that mine own name in the chimneys read


s: By Myra finely wrought ere I was waking:


s: With change bring back my turn again to play?


s: I, that on Sunday at the church-stile found


s: A garland sweet with true-love-knots in flowers,


s: Which I to wear about mine arms was bound


s: That each of us might know that all was ours:


s: And follow Cupid for his loaves and fishes?


s: I, that did wear the ring her mother left,


s: I, for whose love she gloried to be blamed,


s: I, with whose eyes her eyes committed theft,


s: I, who did make her blush when I was named:


s: Must I lose ring, flowers, blush, theft, and go naked,


s: Watching with sighs till dead love be awaked?


s: Washing the water with her beauty's white?


s: Yet would she never write her love to me.


s: Thinks wit of change when thoughts are in delight?


s: Mad girls may safely love as they may leave;


s: No man can print a kiss: lines may deceive.


s: chimneys] cheminees, chimney-screens of tapestry work.  deceive]


s: My Phillis hath prime-feather'd flowers,


s: Love in thine eyes doth build his bower,


s: And from their orbs shoot shafts divine.


s: Make soft her heart, dissolve her lowers


s: But if thou do not, Love, I'll truly serve her


s: In spite of thee, and by firm faith deserve her.


s: Heigh ho, my heart! would God that she were mine!


s: Oenone. FAIR and fair, and twice so fair,


s: Paris. Fair and fair, and twice so fair,


s: Oenone. My love is fair, my love is gay,


s: Ambo Simul. They that do change old love for new,


s: Oenone. My love can pipe, my love can sing,


s: HIS golden locks Time hath to silver turn'd;


s: O Time too swift, O swiftness never ceasing!


s: His youth 'gainst time and age hath ever spurn'd,


s: But spurn'd in vain; youth waneth by increasing:


s: Beauty, strength, youth, are flowers but fading seen;


s: Duty, faith, love, are roots, and ever green.


s: His helmet now shall make a hive for bees;


s: And, lovers' sonnets turn'd to holy psalms,


s: A man-at-arms must now serve on his knees,


s: And feed on prayers, which are Age his alms:


s: But though from court to cottage he depart,


s: His Saint is sure of his unspotted heart.


s: And when he saddest sits in homely cell,


s: He'll teach his swains this carol for a song,--


s: 'Blest be the hearts that wish my sovereign well,


s: Curst be the souls that think her any wrong.'


s: To be your beadsman now that was your knight.


s: Girt with a crimson robe of brightest dye,


s: Whiter than be the flocks that straggling feed


s: Deck'd with the ruddy glister of her love


s: Whenas her brightness Neptune's fancy move,


s: Her tresses gold, her eyes like glassy streams,


s: Her teeth are pearl, the breasts are ivory


s: Her cheeks like rose and lily yield forth gleams;


s: Her brows bright arches framed of ebony.


s: Pallas in wit,--all three, if you well view,


s: Then were my hopes greater than my despair,


s: Then all the world were heaven, nothing woe.


s: Ah! were her heart relenting as her hand,


s: That seems to melt even with the mildest touch,


s: Under wide heavens, but yet there is not such.


s: So as she shows she seems the budding rose,


s: Yet sweeter far than is an earthly flower;


s: Sovran of beauty, like the spray she grows;


s: Compass'd she is with thorns and canker'd flower.


s: Yet were she willing to be pluck'd and worn,


s: She would be gather'd, though she grew on thorn.


s: Ah! when she sings, all music else be still,


s: Ne'er breathed such glee from Philomela's bill,


s: Nor from the morning-singer's swelling throat.


s: Ah! when she riseth from her blissful bed


s: She comforts all the world as doth the sun,


s: And at her sight the night's foul vapour 's fled;


s: When she is set the gladsome day is done.


s: Shine in my arms, and set thou in my breast!


s: WEEP not, my wanton, smile upon my knee;


s: When thou art old there 's grief enough for thee.


s: Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee;


s: Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee,


s: And tune their songs, like Nature's clerks,


s: shaid] parted.  stripe] rill.  offuskit] darkened.  boulden]


s: swollen.  sheen] bright.  skails] clears.  simples]


s: herbs.  cessile] yielding, ceasing.  flourishes] blossoms.


s: O COME, soft rest of cares! come, Night!


s: Most naked plants renew both fruit and flower;


s: The sorest wight may find release of pain,


s: The driest soil suck in some moist'ning shower;


s: Times go by turns and chances change by course,


s: From foul to fair, from better hap to worse.


s: She draws her favours to the lowest ebb;


s: Her tides hath equal times to come and go,


s: Her loom doth weave the fine and coarsest web;


s: Not always fall of leaf nor ever spring,


s: The saddest birds a season find to sing,


s: The roughest storm a calm may soon allay:


s: Thus with succeeding turns God tempereth all,


s: That man may hope to rise, yet fear to fall.


s: A chance may win that by mischance was lost;


s: The net that holds no great, takes little fish;


s: In some things all, in all things none are crost,


s: Few all they need, but none have all they wish;


s: Who least, hath some; who most, hath never all.


s: As though His floods should quench His flames,


s: GIVE pardon, blessed soul, to my bold cries,


s: Which now with joyful notes thou sing'st among


s: The angel-quiristers of th' heavenly skies.


s: Give pardon eke, sweet soul, to my slow eyes,


s: That since I saw thee now it is so long,


s: I did not know that thou wert dead before;


s: The greater stroke astonisheth the more;


s: Astonishment takes from us sense of pain;


s: I stood amazed when others' tears begun,


s: And now begin to weep when they have done.


s: Siren. COME, worthy Greek! Ulysses, come,


s: Ulysses. Fair Nymph, if fame or honour were


s: Ulysses. Delicious Nymph, suppose there were


s: Siren. Then pleasure likewise seems the shore


s: Ulysses. But natures of the noblest frame


s: Ulysses. But yet the state of things require


s: FAIR is my Love and cruel as she 's fair;


s: Her brow-shades frown, although her eyes are sunny.


s: Her smiles are lightning, though her pride despair,


s: And her disdains are gall, her favours honey:


s: A modest maid, deck'd with a blush of honour,


s: Whose feet do tread green paths of youth and love;


s: The wonder of all eyes that look upon her,


s: Sacred on earth, design'd a Saint above.


s: Chastity and Beauty, which were deadly foes,


s: Live reconciled friends within her brow;


s: Then who had heard the plaints I utter now?


s: For had she not been fair, and thus unkind,


s: My Muse had slept, and none had known my mind.


s: My spotless love hovers with purest wings,


s: Where blaze those lights, fairest of earthly things,


s: Which clear our clouded world with brightest flame.


s: My ambitious thoughts, confined in her face,


s: My hopes do rest in limits of her grace;


s: Holds in her fairest hand what dearest is;


s: My Fortune's wheel 's the circle of her eyes,


s: Whose rolling grace deign once a turn of bliss.


s: All my life's sweet consists in her alone;


s: Or blame th' attempt presuming so to soar;


s: Did make the honour of the fall the more.


s: For who gets wealth, that puts not from the shore?


s: Danger hath honour, great designs their fame;


s: And though th' event oft answers not the same--


s: Suffice that high attempts have never shame.


s: The mean observer, whom base safety keeps,


s: Lives without honour, dies without a name,


s: And therefore, Delia, 'tis to me no blot


s: To have attempted, tho' attain'd thee not.


s: When men shall find thy flow'r, thy glory, pass,


s: And thou with careful brow, sitting alone,


s: Received hast this message from thy glass,


s: That tells the truth and says that All is gone;


s: Fresh shalt thou see in me the wounds thou mad'st,


s: Though spent thy flame, in me the heat remaining:


s: I that have loved thee thus before thou fad'st--


s: My faith shall wax, when thou art in thy waning.


s: The world shall find this miracle in me,


s: That fire can burn when all the matter 's spent:


s: Then what my faith hath been thyself shalt see,


s: And that thou wast unkind thou may'st repent.--


s: Thou may'st repent that thou hast scorn'd my tears,


s: Beauty, sweet Love, is like the morning dew,


s: Whose short refresh upon the tender green


s: Cheers for a time, but till the sun doth show,


s: And straight 'tis gone as it had never been.


s: Soon doth it fade that makes the fairest flourish,


s: Short is the glory of the blushing rose;


s: The hue which thou so carefully dost nourish,


s: Yet which at length thou must be forced to lose.


s: When thou, surcharged with burthen of thy years,


s: Shalt bend thy wrinkles homeward to the earth;


s: And that, in Beauty's Lease expired, appears


s: But ah, no more!--this must not be foretold,


s: For women grieve to think they must be old.


s: I must not grieve my Love, whose eyes would read


s: Lines of delight, whereon her youth might smile;


s: Flowers have time before they come to seed,


s: And she is young, and now must sport the while.


s: And sport, Sweet Maid, in season of these years,


s: And learn to gather flowers before they wither;


s: And where the sweetest blossom first appears,


s: Let Love and Youth conduct thy pleasures thither.


s: Lighten forth smiles to clear the clouded air,


s: And calm the tempest which my sighs do raise;


s: Pity and smiles do best become the fair;


s: Pity and smiles must only yield thee praise.


s: Make me to say when all my griefs are gone,


s: Happy the heart that sighed for such a one!


s: Let others sing of Knights and Paladines


s: Which well the reach of their high wit records:


s: But I must sing of thee, and those fair eyes


s: Authentic shall my verse in time to come;


s: When yet th' unborn shall say, Lo, where she lies!


s: These are the arcs, the trophies I erect,


s: And these thy sacred virtues must protect


s: Against the Dark, and Time's consuming rage.


s: Though th' error of my youth in them appear,


s: Suffice, they show I lived, and loved thee dear.


s: FRA bank to bank, fra wood to wood I rin,


s: Like til a leaf that fallis from a tree,


s: Twa gods guides me: the ane of tham is blin,


s: That tills the sand and sawis in the air;


s: And you, my Love, as high as heaven above,


s: Yet should the thoughts of me, your humble swain,


s: Were I as high as heaven above the plain,


s: Wheresoe'er you were, with you my love should go.


s: Were you the earth, dear Love, and I the skies,


s: My love should shine on you like to the Sun,


s: And look upon you with ten thousand eyes,


s: Till heaven wax'd blind, and till the world were done.


s: Wheresoe'er I am,--below, or else above you--


s: Wheresoe'er you are, my heart shall truly love you.


s: Where, whilst mine eye with plenty feasts,


s: SINCE there 's no help, come let us kiss and part--


s: Nay, I have done, you get no more of me;


s: And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart,


s: Shake hands for ever, cancel all our vows,


s: Now at the last gasp of Love's latest breath,


s: When, his pulse failing, Passion speechless lies,


s: When Faith is kneeling by his bed of death,


s: --Now if thou wouldst, when all have given him over,


s: From death to life thou might'st him yet recover.


s: That hills and valleys, dales and fields,


s: The shepherd swains shall dance and sing


s: But Time drives flocks from field to fold;


s: Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses,


s: Soon break, soon wither--soon forgotten,


s: But could youth last, and love still breed,


s: When turtles tread, and rooks, and daws,


s: And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.


s: Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby!


s: Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.


s: O, stay and hear! your true love 's coming,


s: My poor corse, where my bones shall be thrown:


s: Heigh ho! sing, heigh ho! unto the green holly:


s: Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:


s: That o'er the green corn-field did pass,


s: In the spring time, the only pretty ring time,


s: When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding;


s: HARK! hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings,


s: And clamours through the wild air flying!


s: Thou art more lovely and more temperate:


s: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,


s: And Summer's lease hath all too short a date:


s: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,


s: And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;


s: And every fair from fair sometime declines,


s: By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd:


s: Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;


s: Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade,


s: When in eternal lines to time thou growest:


s: So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,


s: So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.


s: WHEN, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,


s: And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,


s: And look upon myself, and curse my fate,


s: Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,


s: Featured like him, like him with friends possest,


s: Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,


s: Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising--


s: Haply I think on thee: and then my state,


s: Like to the Lark at break of day arising


s: From sullen earth, sings hymns at Heaven's gate;


s: For thy sweet love rememb'red such wealth brings


s: That then I scorn to change my state with Kings.


s: WHEN to the Sessions of sweet silent thought


s: I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,


s: And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste:


s: Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,


s: For precious friends hid in death's dateless night,


s: And weep afresh love's long-since-cancell'd woe,


s: And moan th' expense of many a vanish'd sight:


s: Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,


s: But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,


s: All losses are restored and sorrows end.


s: Which I, by lacking, have supposed dead:


s: And there reigns Love, and all Love's loving parts,


s: And all those friends which I thought buried.


s: Hath dear religious love stol'n from mine eye,


s: As interest of the dead!--which now appear


s: But things removed that hidden in thee lie.


s: Thou art the grave where buried love doth live,


s: Hung with the trophies of my lovers gone,


s: Who all their parts of me to thee did give:


s: And thou, all they, hast all the all of me.


s: WHAT is your substance, whereof are you made,


s: That millions of strange shadows on you tend?


s: Since every one hath, every one, one shade,


s: And you, but one, can every shadow lend.


s: And you in Grecian tires are painted new:


s: Speak of the spring and foison of the year,


s: The one doth shadow of your beauty show,


s: In all external grace you have some part,


s: But you like none, none you, for constant heart.


s: O HOW much more doth beauty beauteous seem


s: By that sweet ornament which truth doth give!


s: The Rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem


s: For that sweet odour which doth in it live.


s: The Canker-blooms have full as deep a dye


s: Hang on such thorns, and play as wantonly


s: When summer's breath their masked buds discloses:


s: But--for their virtue only is their show--


s: Die to themselves. Sweet Roses do not so;


s: Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made.


s: And so of you, beauteous and lovely youth,


s: When that shall vade, my verse distils your truth.


s: BEING your slave, what should I do but tend


s: Upon the hours and times of your desire?


s: I have no precious time at all to spend,


s: Nor dare I chide the world-without-end hour


s: Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you,


s: Nor think the bitterness of absence sour


s: When you have bid your servant once adieu;


s: Nor dare I question with my jealous thought


s: Where you may be, or your affairs suppose,


s: But, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought


s: Save, where you are how happy you make those!


s: So true a fool is love, that in your Will,


s: Though you do any thing, he thinks no ill.


s: THAT time of year thou may'st in me behold


s: When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang


s: Upon those boughs which shake against the cold--


s: Bare ruin'd choirs where late the sweet birds sang,


s: In me thou see'st the twilight of such day


s: Which by and by black night doth take away,


s: Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.


s: In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire


s: That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,


s: As the death-bed whereon it must expire,


s: Consumed with that which it was nourish'd by.


s: This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong


s: To love that well which thou must leave ere long.


s: FAREWELL! thou art too dear for my possessing,


s: And like enough thou know'st thy estimate:


s: The charter of thy worth gives thee releasing;


s: For how do I hold thee but by thy granting?


s: And for that riches where is my deserving?


s: The cause of this fair gift in me is wanting,


s: And so my patent back again is swerving.


s: Thyself thou gav'st, thy own worth then not knowing,


s: Or me, to whom thou gav'st it, else mistaking;


s: So thy great gift, upon misprision growing,


s: Comes home again, on better judgment making.


s: Thus have I had thee, as a dream doth flatter


s: In sleep a King; but waking, no such matter.


s: THEN hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now;


s: Now, while the world is bent my deeds to cross,


s: Join with the spite of fortune, make me bow,


s: Ah! do not, when my heart hath 'scaped this sorrow,


s: Come in the rearward of a conquer'd woe;


s: If thou wilt leave me, do not leave me last,


s: When other petty griefs have done their spite,


s: At first the very worst of fortune's might;


s: And other strains of woe, which now seem woe,


s: Compared with loss of thee will not seem so!


s: THEY that have power to hurt and will do none,


s: That do not do the thing they most do show,


s: Who, moving others, are themselves as stone,


s: They rightly do inherit heaven's graces,


s: And husband nature's riches from expense;


s: They are the Lords and owners of their faces,


s: Others, but stewards of their excellence.


s: The summer's flower is to the summer sweet,


s: But if that flower with base infection meet,


s: For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds;


s: Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds.


s: From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!


s: What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen,


s: What old December's bareness everywhere!


s: And yet this time removed was summer's time;


s: The teeming Autumn, big with rich increase,


s: Like widow'd wombs after their Lord's decease:


s: But hope of orphans and unfather'd fruit;


s: For Summer and his pleasures wait on thee,


s: And, thou away, the very birds are mute:


s: Or if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer


s: That leaves look pale, dreading the Winter 's near.


s: FROM you have I been absent in the spring,


s: When proud-pied April, dress'd in all his trim,


s: Hath put a spirit of youth in everything,


s: That heavy Saturn laugh'd and leap'd with him.


s: Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell


s: Of different flowers in odour and in hue,


s: Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew;


s: Nor praise the deep vermilion in the Rose;


s: They were but sweet, but figures of delight,


s: Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.


s: Yet seem'd it Winter still, and, you away,


s: As with your shadow I with these did play.


s: MY love is strengthen'd, though more weak in seeming;


s: I love not less, though less the show appear:


s: That love is merchandised whose rich esteeming


s: The owner's tongue doth publish everywhere.


s: Our love was new, and then but in the spring,


s: When I was wont to greet it with my lays;


s: And stops her pipe in growth of riper days:


s: Not that the summer is less pleasant now


s: Than when her mournful hymns did hush the night,


s: But that wild music burthens every bough,


s: And sweets grown common lose their dear delight.


s: Therefore, like her, I sometime hold my tongue,


s: Because I would not dull you with my song.


s: TO me, fair friend, you never can be old;


s: For as you were when first your eye I eyed,


s: Such seems your beauty still. Three Winters cold


s: Have from the forests shook three Summers' pride;


s: Three beauteous springs to yellow Autumn turn'd


s: Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burn'd,


s: Since first I saw you fresh, which yet are green.


s: Steal from his figure, and no pace perceived;


s: So your sweet hue, which methinks still doth stand,


s: Hath motion, and mine eye may be deceived:


s: For fear of which, hear this, thou age unbred:


s: Ere you were born was beauty's summer dead.


s: I see descriptions of the fairest wights,


s: In praise of Ladies dead and lovely Knights;


s: Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty's best,


s: Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,


s: I see their antique pen would have exprest


s: And for they look'd but with divining eyes,


s: They had not skill enough your worth to sing:


s: For we, which now behold these present days,


s: Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.


s: Though absence seem'd my flame to qualify!


s: As from my soul, which in thy breast doth lie:


s: That is my home of love; if I have ranged,


s: Just to the time, not with the time exchanged,


s: So that myself bring water for my stain.


s: Never believe, though in my nature reign'd


s: All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,


s: That it could so prepost'rously be stain'd,


s: To leave for nothing all thy sum of good:


s: Save thou, my Rose; in it thou art my all.


s: LET me not to the marriage of true minds


s: That looks on tempests and is never shaken;


s: Whose worth 's unknown, although his height be taken.


s: Love 's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks


s: Within his bending sickle's compass come;


s: Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,


s: But bears it out even to the edge of doom:--


s: TH' expense of Spirit in a waste of shame


s: Is lust in action; and till action, lust


s: Is perjured, murderous, bloody, full of blame,


s: Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust;


s: Enjoy'd no sooner but despised straight;


s: Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;


s: A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe;


s: Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream.


s: All this the world well knows; yet none knows well


s: To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.


s: POOR soul, the centre of my sinful earth--


s: My sinful earth these rebel powers array--


s: Why dost thou pine within and suffer dearth,


s: Painting thy outward walls so costly gay?


s: Why so large cost, having so short a lease,


s: Dost thou upon thy fading mansion spend?


s: Eat up thy charge? Is this thy body's end?


s: Then, soul, live thou upon thy servant's loss,


s: And let that pine to aggravate thy store;


s: Buy terms divine in selling hours of dross;


s: So shalt thou feed on Death, that feeds on men;


s: And Death once dead, there 's no more dying then.


s: SPRING, the sweet Spring, is the year's pleasant king;


s: Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,


s: Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing--


s: The palm and may make country houses gay,


s: Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day,


s: And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay--


s: The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet,


s: Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit,


s: In every street these tunes our ears do greet--


s: They look like rose-buds fill'd with snow;


s: Threat'ning with piercing frowns to kill


s: Yet follow thy fair sun, unhappy shadow!


s: Follow her, whose light thy light depriveth!


s: Yet follow her whose light the world reviveth!


s: Follow those pure beams, whose beauty burneth!


s: Till her kind beams thy black so brightness turneth.


s: Follow her, while yet her glory shineth!


s: And this the black unhappy shade divineth.


s: Follow still, since so thy fates ordained!


s: The sun still proud, the shadow still disdained.


s: FOLLOW your saint, follow with accents sweet!


s: Haste you, sad notes, fall at her flying feet!


s: There, wrapt in cloud of sorrow, pity move,


s: And tell the ravisher of my soul I perish for her love:


s: But if she scorns my never-ceasing pain,


s: Then burst with sighing in her sight, and ne'er return again!


s: All that I sung still to her praise did tend;


s: Still she was first, still she my songs did end;


s: Yet she my love and music both doth fly,


s: The music that her echo is and beauty's sympathy:


s: Then let my notes pursue her scornful flight!


s: WHEN thou must home to shades of underground,


s: The beauteous spirits do engirt thee round,


s: To hear the stories of thy finish'd love


s: From that smooth tongue whose music hell can move;


s: Then wilt thou speak of banqueting delights,


s: Of masques and revels which sweet youth did make,


s: Of tourneys and great challenges of knights,


s: And all these triumphs for thy beauty's sake:


s: When thou hast told these honours done to thee,


s: Then tell, O tell, how thou didst murder me!


s: The sea-nymphs chant their accents shrill,


s: While youthful revels, masques, and courtly sights


s: Though love and all his pleasures are but toys,


s: NEVER weather-beaten sail more willing bent to shore,


s: Never tired pilgrim's limbs affected slumber more,


s: Ever blooming are the joys of heaven's high Paradise,


s: Cold age deafs not there our ears nor vapour dims our eyes:


s: Glory there the sun outshines; whose beams the Blessed only see:


s: O come quickly, glorious Lord, and raise my sprite to Thee!


s: Since you have seen the beauty of my saint,


s: Did not her sight (fair sight!) you lonely fill,


s: Of goddess' grace and angels' sacred teint


s: Say, golden Primrose, sanguine Cowslip fair,


s: Did not her globy front, and glistering hair,


s: So gloriously like damask flowers appear,


s: Say, snow-white Lily, speckled Gillyflower,


s: Since you have viewed the Queen of my desire,


s: Did not her ivory paps, fair Venus' bower,


s: Say Rose, say Daffodil, and Violet blue,


s: Since ye have seen my nymph's sweet dainty face


s: Did not (bright Cowslip, blooming Pink) her view


s: (Ah, Gillyflower, ah Daisy!) with a grace


s: By your weak accents; what 's your praise


s: Whose state can neither flatterers feed,


s: HE first deceased; she for a little tried


s: To live without him, liked it not, and died.


s: I KNOW my soul hath power to know all things,


s: I know I'm one of Nature's little kings,


s: Yet to the least and vilest things am thrall.


s: I know my life 's a pain and but a span;


s: I know my sense is mock'd in everything;


s: Which is a proud and yet a wretched thing.


s: And I might have gone near to love thee,


s: That lips could move, had power to move thee;


s: And since thou canst with more than one,


s: Arm'd with her briers, how sweet she smells!


s: But pluck'd and strain'd through ruder hands,


s: And I shall sigh, while some will smile,


s: Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,


s: They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.


s: But grant us perfect, they're not known.


s: That they still were to run by her side,


s: Through swords, through seas, whither she would ride.


s: All the gain, all the good, of the elements' strife.


s: Have you mark'd but the fall of the snow


s: O so white, O so soft, O so sweet is she!


s: Throughout your form as, though that move


s: FALSE world, good night! since thou hast brought


s: Since stir'd'st up jealousies and fears,


s: But make my strengths, such as they are,


s: I send nor balms nor cor'sives to your wound:


s: And doubtful days, which were named critical,


s: Yet doth some wholesome physic for the mind


s: Happy in that fair honour it hath gain'd,


s: In one full action; nor have you now more


s: Such thoughts will make you more in love with truth.


s: For men to use their fortune reverently,


s: to the Immortal Memory and Friendship of that noble pair,


s: Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,


s: To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:


s: In small proportions we just beauties see;


s: And in short measures, life may perfect be.


s: Accept this garland, plant it on thy head,


s: And think--nay, know--thy Morison 's not dead.


s: Jonson: who sung this of him, ere he went


s: Or tast a part of that full joy he meant


s: Were not his Lucius long with us to tarry--


s: Whilst that in Heav'n, this light on earth must shine.


s: Of hearts the union: and those not by chance


s: Made, or indenture, or leased out to advance


s: But simple love of greatness and of good,


s: That knits brave minds and manners more than blood.


s: That liking, and approach so one the t'other


s: Till either grew a portion of the other:


s: The good, and durst not practise it, were glad


s: FRIENDSHIP indeed was written, not in words,


s: Who, ere the first down bloomed on the chin,


s: Had sow'd these fruits, and got the harvest in.


s: The light that shines comes from thine eyes;


s: For reason, much too strong for fantasy.


s: My dream thou brok'st not, but continued'st it.


s: Thou art so true that thoughts of thee suffice


s: To make dreams truths and fables histories;


s: Enter these arms, for since thou thought'st it best


s: Not to dream all my dream, let 's act the rest.


s: Thine eyes, and not thy noise, waked me;


s: For thou lov'st truth--an angel, at first sight;


s: And knew'st my thoughts beyond an angel's art,


s: When thou knew'st what I dreamt, when thou knew'st when


s: Excess of joy would wake me, and cam'st then,


s: I must confess it could not choose but be


s: Profane to think thee anything but thee.


s: That Love is weak where Fear 's as strong as he;


s: If mixture it of Fear, Shame, Honour have.


s: Perchance as torches, which must ready be,


s: Men light and put out, so thou deal'st with me.


s: Thou cam'st to kindle, go'st to come: then I


s: Will dream that hope again, but else would die.


s: That subtle wreath of hair about mine arm;


s: The mystery, the sign you must not touch,


s: Viceroy to that which, unto heav'n being gone,


s: And keep these limbs, her provinces, from dissolution.


s: For if the sinewy thread my brain lets fall


s: Can tie those parts, and make me one of all;


s: Those hairs, which upward grew, and strength and art


s: Can better do 't: except she meant that I


s: As prisoners then are manacled, when they're condemn'd to die.


s: Whate'er she meant by 't, bury it with me,


s: If into other hands these reliques came.


s: That, since you would have none of me, I bury some of you.


s: WILT Thou forgive that sin where I begun,


s: Which was my sin, though it were done before?


s: Wilt Thou forgive that sin through which I run,


s: And do run still, though still I do deplore?


s: When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;


s: Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won


s: Others to sin, and made my sins their door?


s: Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun


s: I have a sin of fear, that when I've spun


s: My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;


s: But swear by Thyself that at my death Thy Son


s: Shall shine as He shines now and heretofore:


s: DEATH, be not proud, though some have called thee


s: Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so:


s: For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow


s: Die not, poor Death; nor yet canst thou kill me.


s: From Rest and Sleep, which but thy picture be,


s: Much pleasure, then from thee much more must flow;


s: And soonest our best men with thee do go--


s: Rest of their bones and souls' delivery!


s: Thou'rt slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,


s: And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;


s: And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well


s: And better than thy stroke. Why swell'st thou then?


s: One short sleep past, we wake eternally,


s: And Death shall be no more: Death, thou shalt die!


s: Ruthless beasts they will not cheer thee:


s: ART thou poor, yet hast thou golden slumbers?


s: Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplex'd?


s: Dost thou laugh to see how fools are vex'd


s: To add to golden numbers golden numbers?


s: O sweet content! O sweet, O sweet content!


s: Canst drink the waters of the crisped spring?


s: Swim'st thou in wealth, yet sink'st in thine own tears?


s: Then he that patiently want's burden bears,


s: Sweet air, blow soft; mount, lark, aloft


s: Bird, prune thy wing! nightingale, sing!


s: Go tell her through your chirping bills,


s: COME, Sleep, and with thy sweet deceiving


s: AWAY, delights! go seek some other dwelling,


s: Farewell, false love! thy tongue is ever telling


s: For ever let me rest now from thy smarts;


s: That have been hard to thee! Mine was not so.


s: Never again deluding love shall know me,


s: And all those griefs that think to overgrow me


s: For ever will I sleep, while poor maids cry--


s: With thee! Men cannot mock us in the clay.'


s: Then stretch our bones in a still gloomy valley,


s: Nothing 's so dainty sweet as lovely melancholy.


s: CALL for the robin-redbreast and the wren,


s: To rear him hillocks that shall keep him warm,


s: And (when gay tombs are robb'd) sustain no harm;


s: But keep the wolf far thence, that 's foe to men,


s: For with his nails he'll dig them up again.


s: The screech-owl and the whistler shrill,


s: Of what is 't fools make such vain keeping?


s: Sin their conception, their birth weeping,


s: 'Tis now full tide 'tween night and day;


s: O HAPPY Tithon! if thou know'st thy hap,


s: Then need'st thou not--which ah! I grieve to grant--


s: Repine at Jove, lull'd in his leman's lap:


s: That golden shower in which he did repose--


s: When from thy bed she passionately goes.


s: Then, waken'd with the music of the merles,


s: She not remembers Memnon when she mourns:


s: That faithful flame which in her bosom burns


s: From crystal conduits throws those liquid pearls:


s: Sad from thy sight so soon to be removed,


s: DEAR Lord, receive my son, whose winning love


s: Whose looks could all my bitter griefs assuage:


s: Let his pure soul, ordain'd seven years to be


s: In that frail body which was part of me,


s: Remain my pledge in Heaven, as sent to show


s: Rouse Memnon's mother from her Tithon's bed,


s: That she thy career may with roses spread;


s: The nightingales thy coming each-where sing;


s: Give life to this dark world which lieth dead;


s: In larger locks than thou wast wont before,


s: Which serves but to make dear thy glorious light.


s: This is the morn should bring into this grove


s: My Love, to hear and recompense my love.


s: Shalt see than those which by Peneus' streams


s: As thou when two thou did to Rome appear.


s: Now, Flora, deck thyself in fairest guise:


s: Kissing sometimes these purple ports of death.


s: Beyond the hills to shun his flaming wheels:


s: The fields with flowers are deck'd in every hue,


s: The clouds bespangle with bright gold their blue:


s: And everything, save Her, who all should grace.


s: With neck and breast's ripe apples to be seen,


s: In Cyprus' gardens gathering those fair flow'rs


s: The Graces naked danced about the place,


s: The flowers did smile, like those upon her face;


s: And as their aspen stalks those fingers band,


s: paramours] = sing.  paramour.  band] bound.


s: So soon was heard to sigh in forests here,


s: It was for her: that wrapp'd in gowns of green


s: That in the saddest months oft sung the merles,


s: It was for her; for her trees dropp'd forth pearls.


s: Did envy those our shades and calm resorts,


s: Bud doth the rose and daisy, winter done;


s: But we, once dead, no more do see the sun.


s: SWEET Spring, thou turn'st with all thy goodly train,


s: Thy head with flames, thy mantle bright with flow'rs:


s: The zephyrs curl the green locks of the plain,


s: The clouds for joy in pearls weep down their show'rs.


s: Thou turn'st, sweet youth, but ah! my pleasant hours


s: And happy days with thee come not again;


s: Do with thee turn, which turn my sweets in sours.


s: Thou art the same which still thou wast before,


s: But she, whose breath embalm'd thy wholesome air,


s: Is gone--nor gold nor gems her can restore.


s: While thine forgot lie closed in a tomb.


s: ALEXIS, here she stay'd; among these pines,


s: Here did she spread the treasure of her hair,


s: More rich than that brought from the Colchian mines.


s: --The happy place the print seems yet to bear:


s: Her voice did sweeten here thy sugar'd lines,


s: To which winds, trees, beasts, birds, did lend their ear.


s: Me here she first perceived, and here a morn


s: Of bright carnations did o'erspread her face;


s: Here did she sigh, here first my hopes were born,


s: And I first got a pledge of promised grace:


s: Sith passed pleasures double but new woe?


s: --O tears! O grief!--hung at a feeble thread


s: To which pale Atropos had set her knife;


s: And now did take his last leave of the heart:


s: Naught else did want, save death, ev'n to be dead;


s: Seeing so fair him come in lips, cheeks, eyes,


s: Cried, 'Ah! and can Death enter Paradise?'


s: Oft call that prince which here doth monarchise:


s: Who caitiffs scorns, and doth the blest surprise,


s: Late having deck'd with beauty's rose his tomb,


s: Disdains to crop a weed, and will not come.


s: Crown'd with frail flowers forth comes the baby year.


s: As if all here immortal were, dost stay.


s: Look to that Heaven which never night makes black,


s: And there at that immortal sun's bright rays,


s: Deck thee with flowers which fear not rage of days!


s: THE last and greatest Herald of Heaven's King,


s: Girt with rough skins, hies to the deserts wild,


s: Among that savage brood the woods forth bring,


s: Which he than man more harmless found and mild.


s: His food was locusts, and what young doth spring


s: With honey that from virgin hives distill'd;


s: Parch'd body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing


s: Made him appear, long since from earth exiled.


s: There burst he forth: 'All ye, whose hopes rely


s: On God, with me amidst these deserts mourn;


s: Repent, repent, and from old errors turn!'


s: --Who listen'd to his voice, obey'd his cry?


s: Rung from their marble caves 'Repent! Repent!'


s: Not all the skill his wounds can stench,


s: Sweet birds, for love that sing and play


s: Who now want strength to stir their hands:


s: Where from their pulpits seal'd with dust


s: They preach, 'In greatness is no trust.'


s: 'Though gods they were, as men they died.'


s: Where no joy dies till Love hath gotten more.


s: To tell each point he nameth with a kiss.


s: A sweeter flower did Nature ne'er put forth,


s: The maidens danced about it morn and noon,


s: And learned bards of it their ditties made;


s: The nimble fairies by the pale-faced moon


s: Water'd the root and kiss'd her pretty shade.


s: But well-a-day!--the gardener careless grew;


s: The maids and fairies both were kept away,


s: Themselves upon the bud and every spray.


s: God shield the stock! If heaven send no supplies,


s: Those happy creatures are, that know not yet


s: I'd learn; and try what further art could do


s: MAY! Be thou never graced with birds that sing,


s: GET up, get up for shame! The blooming morn


s: Upon her wings presents the god unshorn.


s: Each flower has wept and bow'd toward the east


s: And sung their thankful hymns, 'tis sin,


s: Spring sooner than the lark, to fetch in May.


s: Rise and put on your foliage, and be seen


s: To come forth, like the spring-time, fresh and green,


s: Besides, the childhood of the day has kept,


s: Against you come, some orient pearls unwept.


s: Till you come forth! Wash, dress, be brief in praying:


s: Few beads are best when once we go a-Maying.


s: Come, my Corinna, come; and coming, mark


s: How each field turns a street, each street a park,


s: Made green and trimm'd with trees! see how


s: Or branch! each porch, each door, ere this,


s: Made up of white-thorn neatly interwove,


s: As if here were those cooler shades of love.


s: And sin no more, as we have done, by staying;


s: But, my Corinna, come, let 's go a-Maying.


s: There 's not a budding boy or girl this day


s: Some have despatch'd their cakes and cream,


s: And some have wept and woo'd, and plighted troth,


s: And chose their priest, ere we can cast off sloth:


s: This night, and locks pick'd: yet we're not a-Maying!


s: Come, let us go, while we are in our prime,


s: And take the harmless folly of the time!


s: Then, while time serves, and we are but decaying,


s: Come, my Corinna, come, let 's go a-Maying.


s: beads] prayers.  green-gown] tumble on the grass.


s: The sweets of love are mix'd with tears.


s: Some hung the head, while some did bring,


s: trental] services for the dead, of thirty masses.


s: Yet lost ere that chaste flesh and blood


s: Since ghost there 's none to affright thee.


s: All hearts your captives, yours yet free;


s: Where fortune bears no sway o'er things,


s: E'EN like two little bank-dividing brooks,


s: That wash the pebbles with their wanton streams,


s: And having ranged and search'd a thousand nooks,


s: Meet both at length in silver-breasted Thames,


s: Where in a greater current they conjoin:


s: So I my Best-beloved's am; so He is mine.


s: E'en so we joined; we both became entire;


s: For I was flax, and He was flames of fire:


s: Our firm-united souls did more than twine;


s: If all those glittering Monarchs, that command


s: The servile quarters of this earthly ball,


s: Should tender in exchange their shares of land,


s: I would not change my fortunes for them all:


s: Their wealth is but a counter to my coin:


s: The world 's but theirs; but my Beloved's mine.


s: Judge not the play before the play is done:


s: Speaks a new scene; the last act crowns the play.


s: BRAVE flowers--that I could gallant it like you,


s: You come abroad, and make a harmless show,


s: For your embroider'd garments are from earth.


s: You do obey your months and times, but I


s: My fate would know no Winter, never die,


s: And smile, and look as cheerfully as you!


s: O teach me to see Death and not to fear,


s: You fragrant flowers! then teach me, that my breath


s: Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death.


s: To love each other, with which thoughts the day


s: Rose with delight to us and with them set,


s: Must learn the hateful art, how to forget.


s: We, that did nothing wish that Heaven could give


s: Beyond ourselves, nor did desire to live


s: Beyond that wish, all these now cancel must,


s: As if not writ in faith, but words and dust.


s: Yet witness those clear vows which lovers make,


s: Witness the chaste desires that never brake


s: Which in thy bosom anchor'd his whole rest--


s: Thy maiden faith, thy purpose fair and white


s: As thy pure self. Cross planets did envy


s: Faster than vows could bind. Oh, that the stars,


s: When lovers meet, should stand opposed in wars!


s: Since then some higher Destinies command,


s: Let us not strive, nor labour to withstand


s: What is past help. The longest date of grief


s: Fold back our arms; take home our fruitless loves,


s: That must new fortunes try, like turtle-doves


s: Dislodged from their haunts. We must in tears


s: Back to thyself.--So, thou again art free:


s: The truest heart that lover e'er did lend.


s: Now turn from each: so fare our sever'd hearts


s: As the divorced soul from her body parts.


s: And for sweet flowers to crown thy herse


s: From thy grieved friend, whom thou might'st see


s: Tho' almost blind. For thee, loved clay,


s: Meantime thou hast her, earth: much good


s: So close the ground, and 'bout her shade


s: 'Tis true--with shame and grief I yield--


s: Thou, like the van, first took'st the field;


s: Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,


s: But though the whole world turn to coal,


s: And brought'st Thy sweets along with Thee.


s: Saviour. What, child, is the balance thine,


s: Man. Ah, no more! Thou break'st my heart!


s: Having a glass of blessings standing by--


s: Let us (said He) pour on him all we can;


s: Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie,


s: Then beauty flow'd, then wisdom, honour, pleasure:


s: When almost all was out, God made a stay,


s: Perceiving that, alone of all His treasure,


s: And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature:


s: But keep them with repining restlessness;


s: Let him be rich and weary, that at least,


s: LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,


s: But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack


s: 'A guest,' I answer'd, 'worthy to be here:'


s: 'I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,


s: Love took my hand and smiling did reply,


s: 'Truth, Lord; but I have marr'd them: let my shame


s: 'And know you not,' says Love, 'Who bore the blame?'


s: 'You must sit down,' says Love, 'and taste my meat.'


s: Poor pilgrims needs must lose their way,


s: Some men with swords may reap the field,


s: And plant fresh laurels where they kill:


s: But their strong nerves at last must yield;


s: When they, pale captives, creep to death.


s: These flowers, as in their causes, sleep.


s: If those bright suns must know no shade,


s: What, still being gather'd, still must grow.


s: Which my strong faith shall purchase me,


s: That heart which thy false oaths did wound;


s: Than thine shall by Love's hand be bound,


s: Knew her themselves through all her veils.


s: And their sad friends, laid her in earth.


s: The sparklings of thy looks and call them rays,


s: Our fading spring is in dull winter lost.


s: As 'twas before light did from darkness spring,


s: Let the harmonious spheres in music roll!


s: From the rude blasts of wanton breath!--


s: In every eye, but in my thoughts most fair.


s: Like tapers on the altar shine her eyes;


s: We sit and talk, and kiss away the hours


s: As chastely as the morning dews kiss flowers:


s: I touch her, like my beads, with devout care,


s: And come unto my courtship as my prayer.


s: And leave the chargeable noise of this great town:


s: 'Tis time that I grow wise, when all the world grows mad.


s: For some slight Puisne of the Inns of Court.


s: When from this tumult we are got secure,


s: Where every word is thought, and every thought is pure?


s: We'll cherries pluck, and pick the strawberry;


s: Go see the wholesome country girls make hay,


s: Where I had rather gain a kiss than meet


s: The beauties of the Cheap, and wives of Lombard Street.


s: Some other pleasures: these to me are none.


s: Of women, that are things against my fate!


s: Let clowns get wealth and heirs: when I am gone


s: We'll rather taste the bright Pomona's store.


s: Our palates, from the damson to the grape.


s: And how the other birds do fill the quire;


s: The thrush and blackbird lend their throats,


s: We will all sports enjoy which others but desire.


s: Where at what fowl we please our hawk shall fly:


s: To hunt the crafty fox or timorous hare;


s: Our pleasures must from their own warrants be,


s: Heaven, earth, are all but parts of her great royalty.


s: To taste of Bacchus' blessings now and then,


s: To civilize with graver notes our wits again.


s: Till she can dress her beauty at your eyes.


s: The merchant bows unto the seaman's star,


s: The ploughman from the sun his season takes,


s: But still the lover wonders what they are


s: Who look for day before his mistress wakes.


s: Awake, awake! break thro' your veils of lawn!


s: Then draw your curtains, and begin the dawn!


s: Lover. YOUR beauty, ripe and calm and fresh


s: Philosopher. Whilst she yet lives, were stars decay'd,


s: Lover. Lovers, whose priests all poets are,


s: Philosopher. But ask not bodies doom'd to die


s: PRAISE is devotion fit for mighty minds,


s: The diff'ring world's agreeing sacrifice;


s: Where Heaven divided faiths united finds:


s: But Prayer in various discord upward flies.


s: Men steer their course, each to a sev'ral coast;


s: Where all our interests so discordant be


s: That half beg winds by which the rest are lost.


s: 'Tis but in wise design on piteous Heaven;


s: In Praise we nobly give what God may take,


s: And are, without a beggar's blush, forgiven.


s: Dwelt all that 's good, and all that 's fair!


s: THE seas are quiet when the winds give o'er;


s: So calm are we when passions are no more.


s: For then we know how vain it was to boast


s: Of fleeting things, so certain to be lost.


s: Clouds of affection from our younger eyes


s: Conceal that emptiness which age descries.


s: The soul's dark cottage, batter'd and decay'd,


s: As they draw near to their eternal home.


s: Leaving the old, both worlds at once they view


s: That stand upon the threshold of the new.


s: All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies;


s: To wanton with the Sun her lusty Paramour.


s: To hide her guilty front with innocent Snow,


s: The Saintly Vail of Maiden white to throw,


s: Should look so neer upon her foul deformities.


s: She crown'd with Olive green, came softly sliding


s: With Turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing,


s: She strikes a universall Peace through Sea and Land.


s: The idle spear and shield were high up hung;


s: The Trumpet spake not to the armed throng,


s: As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by.


s: His raign of peace upon the earth began:


s: Whispering new joyes to the milde Ocean,


s: While Birds of Calm sit brooding on the charmeed wave.


s: Bending one way their pretious influence,


s: Or Lucifer that often warn'd them thence;


s: Untill their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go.


s: The Sun himself with-held his wonted speed,


s: The new enlightn'd world no more should need;


s: Then his bright Throne, or burning Axletree could bear.


s: Perhaps their loves, or els their sheep,


s: Was all that did their silly thoughts so busie keep.


s: As all their souls in blisfull rapture took


s: With thousand echo's still prolongs each heav'nly close.


s: Of Cynthia's seat, the Airy region thrilling,


s: And that her raign had here its last fulfilling;


s: Could hold all Heav'n and Earth in happier union.


s: That with long beams the shame-fac't night array'd,


s: Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displaid,


s: With unexpressive notes to Heav'ns new-born Heir.


s: But when of old the sons of morning sung,


s: And the well-ballanc't world on hinges hung,


s: And bid the weltring waves their oozy channel keep.


s: (If ye have power to touch our senses so)


s: And let the Base of Heav'ns deep Organ blow


s: Make up full consort to th'Angelike symphony.


s: Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold,


s: And leprous sin will melt from earthly mould,


s: And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day.


s: Th'enameld Arras of the Rain-bow wearing,


s: With radiant feet the tissued clouds down stearing,


s: Will open wide the Gates of her high Palace Hall.


s: The wakefull trump of doom must thunder through the deep,


s: While the red fire, and smouldring clouds out brake:


s: Shall from the surface to the center shake;


s: The dreadfull Judge in middle Air shall spread his throne.


s: Swindges the scaly Horrour of his foulded tail.


s: Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving.


s: With hollow shreik the steep of Delphos leaving.


s: Inspire's the pale-ey'd Priest from the prophetic cell.


s: A voice of weeping heard, and loud lament;


s: The parting Genius is with sighing sent,


s: The Nimphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets mourn.


s: The Lars, and Lemures moan with midnight plaint,


s: Affrights the Flamins at their service quaint;


s: While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat


s: With that twise-batter'd god of Palestine,


s: Now sits not girt with Tapers holy shine,


s: In vain the Tyrian Maids their wounded Thamuz mourn.


s: In dismall dance about the furnace blue;


s: Trampling the unshowr'd Grasse with lowings loud:


s: Naught but profoundest Hell can be his shroud,


s: The sable-stoled Sorcerers bear his worshipt Ark.


s: The rayes of Bethlehem blind his dusky eyn;


s: Can in his swadling bands controul the damned crew.


s: Each fetter'd Ghost slips to his severall grave,


s: Fly after the Night-steeds, leaving their Moon-lov'd maze.


s: Time is our tedious Song should here have ending,


s: Her sleeping Lord with Handmaid Lamp attending:


s: Bright-harnest Angels sit in order serviceable.


s: FLY envious Time, till thou run out thy race,


s: Whose speed is but the heavy Plummets pace;


s: And glut thy self with what thy womb devours,


s: Which is no more then what is false and vain,


s: For when as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd,


s: And last of all, thy greedy self consum'd,


s: Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss


s: With Truth, and Peace, and Love shall ever shine


s: Of him, t'whose happy-making sight alone,


s: When once our heav'nly-guided soul shall clime,


s: Attir'd with Stars, we shall for ever sit,


s: Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee O Time.


s: BLEST pair of Sirens, pledges of Heav'ns joy,


s: Sphear-born harmonious Sisters, Voice, and Vers,


s: Wed your divine sounds, and mixt power employ


s: Dead things with inbreath'd sense able to pierce,


s: And to our high-rais'd phantasie present,


s: Ay sung before the saphire-colour'd throne


s: Where the bright Seraphim in burning row


s: Their loud up-lifted Angel trumpets blow,


s: And the Cherubick host in thousand quires


s: Touch their immortal Harps of golden wires,


s: With those just Spirits that wear victorious Palms,


s: That we on Earth with undiscording voice


s: May rightly answer that melodious noise;


s: As once we did, till disproportion'd sin


s: Jarr'd against natures chime, and with harsh din


s: Broke the fair musick that all creatures made


s: To their great Lord, whose love their motion sway'd


s: In first obedience, and their state of good.


s: And keep in tune with Heav'n, till God ere long


s: To live with him, and sing in endles morn of light.


s: 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shreiks, and sights unholy.


s: Where brooding darknes spreads his jealous wings,


s: There, under Ebon shades, and low-brow'd Rocks,


s: The frolick Wind that breathes the Spring,


s: Streit mine eye hath caught new pleasures


s: His shadowy Flale hath thresh'd the Corn


s: And stretch'd out all the Chimney's length,


s: By whispering Windes soon lull'd asleep.


s: Where throngs of Knights and Barons bold,


s: The melting voice through mazes running;


s: Or fill the fixed mind with all your toyes;


s: And fancies fond with gaudy shapes possess,


s: As the gay motes that people the Sun Beams,


s: The fickle Pensioners of Morpheus train.


s: Or that Starr'd Ethiope Queen that strove


s: The Sea Nymphs, and their powers offended.


s: And joyn with thee calm Peace, and Quiet,


s: Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet,


s: That in trim Gardens takes his pleasure;


s: But first, and chiefest, with thee bring,


s: Sweet Bird that shunn'st the noise of folly,


s: Thus night oft see me in thy pale career,


s: Not trickt and frounc't as she was wont,


s: Or fright them from their hallow'd haunt.


s: Lead in swift round the Months and Years.


s: The Sounds, and Seas with all their finny drove


s: Now to the Moon in wavering Morrice move,


s: Trip the pert Fairies and the dapper Elves;


s: The Wood-Nymphs deckt with Daisies trim,


s: SWEET Echo, sweetest Nymph that liv'st unseen


s: Nightly to thee her sad Song mourneth well.


s: So maist thou be translated to the skies,


s: And give resounding grace to all Heav'ns Harmonies!


s: Under the glassie, cool, translucent wave,


s: The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair,


s: Sabrina replies: By the rushy-fringed bank,


s: Where grows the Willow and the Osier dank,


s: Thick set with Agat, and the azurn sheen


s: The Spirit epiloguizes: TO the Ocean now I fly,


s: The Graces, and the rosie-boosom'd Howres,


s: A Lament for a friend drowned in his passage from


s: YET once more, O ye Laurels, and once more


s: I com to pluck your Berries harsh and crude,


s: Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year.


s: Bitter constraint, and sad occasion dear,


s: Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer:


s: Himself to sing, and build the lofty rhyme.


s: Unwept, and welter to the parching wind,


s: Begin, then, Sisters of the sacred well,


s: That from beneath the seat of Jove doth spring,


s: Begin, and somwhat loudly sweep the string.


s: With lucky words favour my destin'd Urn,


s: And bid fair peace be to my sable shrowd.


s: For we were nurst upon the self-same hill,


s: Fed the same flock, by fountain, shade, and rill.


s: Together both, ere the high Lawns appear'd


s: We drove a field, and both together heard


s: What time the Gray-fly winds her sultry horn,


s: Batt'ning our flocks with the fresh dews of night,


s: Oft till the Star that rose, at Ev'ning, bright


s: Toward Heav'ns descent had slop'd his westering wheel.


s: Mean while the Rural ditties were not mute,


s: Rough Satyrs danc'd, and Fauns with clov'n heel,


s: From the glad sound would not be absent long,


s: And old Damaetas lov'd to hear our song.


s: But O the heavy change, now thou art gon,


s: Now thou art gon, and never must return!


s: Thee Shepherd, thee the Woods, and desert Caves,


s: With wilde Thyme and the gadding Vine o'regrown,


s: The Willows, and the Hazle Copses green,


s: Fanning their joyous Leaves to thy soft layes.


s: Or Taint-worm to the weanling Herds that graze,


s: Or Frost to Flowers, that their gay wardrop wear,


s: Such, Lycidas, thy loss to Shepherds ear.


s: Where were ye Nymphs when the remorseless deep


s: Clos'd o're the head of your lov'd Lycidas?


s: For neither were ye playing on the steep,


s: Where your old Bards, the famous Druids ly,


s: Nor yet where Deva spreads her wisard stream:


s: Had ye bin there--for what could that have don?


s: What could the Muse her self that Orpheus bore,


s: The Muse her self, for her inchanting son


s: When by the rout that made the hideous roar,


s: His goary visage down the stream was sent,


s: Down the swift Hebrus to the Lesbian shore.


s: To tend the homely slighted Shepherds trade,


s: And strictly meditate the thankles Muse,


s: Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise


s: To scorn delights, and live laborious dayes;


s: But the fair Guerdon when we hope to find,


s: And think to burst out into sudden blaze,


s: Comes the blind Fury with th'abhorred shears,


s: And slits the thin spun life. But not the praise,


s: Phoebus repli'd, and touch'd my trembling ears;


s: Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil,


s: Set off to th'world, nor in broad rumour lies,


s: But lives and spreds aloft by those pure eyes,


s: Of so much fame in Heav'n expect thy meed.


s: O fountain Arethuse, and thou honour'd floud,


s: Smooth-sliding Mincius, crown'd with vocall reeds,


s: That strain I heard was of a higher mood:


s: He ask'd the Waves, and ask'd the Fellon winds,


s: What hard mishap hath doom'd this gentle swain?


s: And question'd every gust of rugged wings


s: That blows from off each beaked Promontory,


s: And sage Hippotades their answer brings,


s: That not a blast was from his dungeon stray'd,


s: The Ayr was calm, and on the level brine,


s: Sleek Panope with all her sisters play'd.


s: Built in th'eclipse, and rigg'd with curses dark,


s: That sunk so low that sacred head of thine.


s: Next Camus, reverend Sire, went footing slow,


s: Inwrought with figures dim, and on the edge


s: Like to that sanguine flower inscrib'd with woe.


s: Ah; Who hath reft (quoth he) my dearest pledge?


s: Two massy Keyes he bore of metals twain,


s: He shook his Miter'd locks, and stern bespake,


s: How well could I have spar'd for thee, young swain,


s: Creep and intrude, and climb into the fold?


s: Of other care they little reck'ning make,


s: Then how to scramble at the shearers feast,


s: Blind mouthes! that scarce themselves know how to hold


s: A Sheep-hook, or have learn'd ought els the least


s: That to the faithfull Herdmans art belongs!


s: What recks it them? What need they? They are sped;


s: And when they list, their lean and flashy songs


s: Grate on their scrannel Pipes of wretched straw,


s: The hungry Sheep look up, and are not fed,


s: But swoln with wind, and the rank mist they draw,


s: Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread:


s: Besides what the grim Woolf with privy paw


s: Stands ready to smite once, and smite no more.


s: Return Alpheus, the dread voice is past,


s: That shrunk thy streams; Return Sicilian Muse,


s: And call the Vales, and bid them hither cast


s: Their Bels, and Flourets of a thousand hues.


s: Ye valleys low where the milde whispers use,


s: Of shades and wanton winds, and gushing brooks,


s: On whose fresh lap the swart Star sparely looks,


s: Throw hither all your quaint enameld eyes,


s: That on the green terf suck the honied showres,


s: And purple all the ground with vernal flowres.


s: Bring the rathe Primrose that forsaken dies.


s: The tufted Crow-toe, and pale Gessamine,


s: The white Pink, and the Pansie freakt with jeat,


s: The Musk-rose, and the well attir'd Woodbine.


s: With Cowslips wan that hang the pensive hed,


s: And every flower that sad embroidery wears:


s: And Daffadillies fill their cups with tears,


s: To strew the Laureat Herse where Lycid lies.


s: Let our frail thoughts dally with false surmise.


s: Ay me! Whilst thee the shores, and sounding Seas


s: Wash far away, where ere thy bones are hurld,


s: Where thou perhaps under the whelming tide


s: Visit'st the bottom of the monstrous world;


s: Or whether thou to our moist vows deny'd,


s: Where the great vision of the guarded Mount


s: Looks toward Namancos and Bayona's hold;


s: Look homeward Angel now, and melt with ruth.


s: And, O ye Dolphins, waft the haples youth.


s: Weep no more, woful Shepherds weep no more,


s: Sunk though he be beneath the watry floar,


s: And tricks his beams, and with new spangled Ore,


s: Flames in the forehead of the morning sky:


s: Through the dear might of him that walk'd the waves


s: Where other groves, and other streams along,


s: With Nectar pure his oozy Lock's he laves,


s: And hears the unexpressive nuptiall Song,


s: In the blest Kingdoms meek of joy and love.


s: There entertain him all the Saints above,


s: That sing, and singing in their glory move,


s: And wipe the tears for ever from his eyes.


s: Hence forth thou art the Genius of the shore,


s: In thy large recompense, and shalt be good


s: To all that wander in that perilous flood.


s: Thus sang the uncouth Swain to th'Okes and rills,


s: While the still morn went out with Sandals gray,


s: He touch'd the tender stops of various Quills,


s: With eager thought warbling his Dorick lay:


s: And now the Sun had stretch'd out all the hills,


s: At last he rose, and twitch'd his Mantle blew:


s: To morrow to fresh Woods, and Pastures new.


s: E're half my days, in this dark world and wide,


s: And that one Talent which is death to hide,


s: Lodg'd with me useless, though my Soul more bent


s: To serve therewith my Maker, and present


s: My true account, least he returning chide,


s: Doth God exact day-labour, light deny'd,


s: That murmur, soon replies, God doth not need


s: Either man's work or his own gifts, who best


s: Bear his milde yoak, they serve him best, his State


s: Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed


s: And post o're Land and Ocean without rest:


s: They also serve who only stand and waite.


s: LAWRENCE of vertuous Father vertuous Son,


s: Now that the Fields are dank, and ways are mire,


s: Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire


s: From the hard Season gaining: time will run


s: The frozen earth; and cloth in fresh attire


s: The Lillie and Rose, that neither sow'd nor spun.


s: What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice,


s: Of Attick tast, with Wine, whence we may rise


s: To hear the Lute well toucht, or artfull voice


s: He who of those delights can judge, and spare


s: CYRIACK, whose Grandsire on the Royal Bench


s: Of Brittish Themis, with no mean applause


s: Pronounc't and in his volumes taught our Lawes,


s: Which others at their Barr so often wrench:


s: To day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench


s: In mirth, that after no repenting drawes;


s: And what the Swede intend, and what the French.


s: To measure life, learn thou betimes, and know


s: Toward solid good what leads the nearest way;


s: For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains,


s: And disapproves that care, though wise in show,


s: That with superfluous burden loads the day,


s: And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.


s: Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave,


s: Whom Joves great Son to her glad Husband gave,


s: Rescu'd from death by force though pale and faint.


s: Mine as whom washt from spot of child-bed taint,


s: And such, as yet once more I trust to have


s: Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,


s: Came vested all in white, pure as her mind:


s: Her face was vail'd, yet to my fancied sight,


s: Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd


s: So clear, as in no face with more delight.


s: I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.


s: HAIL holy light, ofspring of Heav'n first-born,


s: May I express thee unblam'd? since God is light,


s: Dwelt from Eternitie, dwelt then in thee,


s: Bright effluence of bright essence increate.


s: Or hear'st thou rather pure Ethereal stream,


s: Whose Fountain who shall tell? before the Sun,


s: Before the Heavens thou wert, and at the voice


s: The rising world of waters dark and deep,


s: Won from the void and formless infinite.


s: Escap't the Stygian Pool, though long detain'd


s: In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight


s: Through utter and through middle darkness borne


s: With other notes then to th' Orphean Lyre


s: Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down


s: Though hard and rare: thee I revisit safe,


s: And feel thy sovran vital Lamp; but thou


s: Revisit'st not these eyes, that rowle in vain


s: To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn;


s: So thick a drop serene hath quencht thir Orbs,


s: Or dim suffusion veild. Yet not the more


s: Cleer Spring, or shadie Grove, or Sunnie Hill,


s: Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief


s: Thee Sion and the flowrie Brooks beneath


s: That wash thy hallowd feet, and warbling flow,


s: Those other two equal'd with me in Fate,


s: Then feed on thoughts, that voluntarie move


s: Sings darkling, and in shadiest Covert hid


s: Tunes her nocturnal Note. Thus with the Year


s: Day, or the sweet approach of Ev'n or Morn,


s: Or sight of vernal bloom, or Summers Rose,


s: Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine;


s: But cloud in stead, and ever-during dark


s: Surrounds me, from the chearful waies of men


s: Cut off, and for the Book of knowledg fair


s: Of Natures works to mee expung'd and ras'd,


s: And wisdome at one entrance quite shut out.


s: Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers


s: Irradiate, there plant eyes, all mist from thence


s: Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell


s: To the Spirits of just men long opprest!


s: When God into the hands of thir deliverer


s: To quell the mighty of the Earth, th' oppressour,


s: The brute and boist'rous force of violent men


s: The righteous and all such as honour Truth;


s: Swift as the lightning glance he executes


s: Lose thir defence distracted and amaz'd.


s: And to his faithful Champion hath in place


s: Bore witness gloriously; whence Gaza mourns


s: Of true experience from this great event


s: With peace and consolation hath dismist,


s: Those that their mistress' scorn did bear


s: Quit, quit for shame! This will not move;


s: Till night's black wings do overtake me,


s: BLOWN in the morning, thou shalt fade ere noon.


s: What boots a life which in such haste forsakes thee?


s: Thou'rt wondrous frolic, being to die so soon,


s: And passing proud a little colour makes thee.


s: Know then the thing that swells thee is thy bane;


s: For the same beauty doth, in bloody leaves,


s: The sentence of thy early death contain.


s: Some clown's coarse lungs will poison thy sweet flower,


s: If by the careless plough thou shalt be torn;


s: To murder thee as soon as thou art born--


s: Nay, force thy bud to blow--their tyrant breath


s: THERE are two births; the one when light


s: And in those souls did plant new powers;


s: Love makes those young whom age doth chill,


s: And whom he finds young keeps young still.


s: The streams still glide and constant are:


s: My words, and swear thou'rt like them all,


s: Thou seem'st like stars to nourish fire,


s: HALLOW the threshold, crown the posts anew!


s: Twist all our victories into one bright wreath,


s: Then throw it round the temples of our Queen!


s: 'Tis she that must preserve those glories green.


s: When greater tempests than on sea before


s: When she was shot at 'for the King's own good'


s: How bravely did she do, how bravely bear!


s: And show'd, though they durst rage, she durst not fear.


s: Thus, arm'd with innocence, secure they move


s: Whose highest 'treason' is but highest love.


s: SHE who to Heaven more Heaven doth annex,


s: Whose lowest thought was above all our sex,


s: Accounted nothing death but t' be reprieved,


s: And died as free from sickness as she lived.


s: Others are dragg'd away, or must be driven,


s: She only saw her time and stept to Heaven;


s: Where seraphims view all her glories o'er,


s: As one return'd that had been there before.


s: For while she did this lower world adorn,


s: Her body seem'd rather assumed than born;


s: So rarified, advanced, so pure and whole,


s: That body might have been another's soul;


s: That she could die, or that she could live here.


s: LET us drink and be merry, dance, joke, and rejoice,


s: With claret and sherry, theorbo and voice!


s: The changeable world to our joy is unjust,


s: In frolics dispose your pounds, shillings, and pence,


s: For we shall be nothing a hundred years hence.


s: We'll sport and be free with Moll, Betty, and Dolly,


s: Have oysters and lobsters to cure melancholy:


s: Fish-dinners will make a man spring like a flea,


s: With her and with Bacchus we'll tickle the sense,


s: For we shall be past it a hundred years hence.


s: Your most beautiful bride who with garlands is crown'd


s: And kills with each glance as she treads on the ground,


s: Whose lightness and brightness doth shine in such splendour


s: Though now she be pleasant and sweet to the sense,


s: Will be damnable mouldy a hundred years hence.


s: Then why should we turmoil in cares and in fears,


s: Turn all our tranquill'ty to sighs and to tears?


s: Let 's eat, drink, and play till the worms do corrupt us,


s: For health, wealth and beauty, wit, learning and sense,


s: Must all come to nothing a hundred years hence.


s: Of crystal flesh, through which to shine:


s: Of gems that in their bright shades play.


s: And when it comes, say, 'Welcome, friend!'


s: Can crown old Winter's head with flowers.


s: And stars thou sow'st whose harvest dares


s: What make you here? What hopes can 'tice


s: Ripe men of martyrdom, that could reach down


s: With strong arms their triumphant crown:


s: Their great Lord's glorious name; to none


s: Of those whose spacious bosoms spread a throne


s: For love at large to fill. Spare blood and sweat:


s: Life should so long play with that breath


s: Why, to show love, she should shed blood;


s: How much less strong is death than love....


s: She'll to the Moors, and trade with them


s: With Christ's name in 't, in charge for death:


s: Farewell all pleasures, sports, and joys,


s: Sweet, not so fast; lo! thy fair spouse,


s: And teach thy lips heaven, with her hand,


s: What joy shall seize thy soul, when she,


s: Those second smiles of heaven, shall dart


s: Her mild rays through thy melting heart!


s: Angels, thy old friends, there shall greet thee,


s: Glad at their own home now to meet thee.


s: Of crowns, with which the King, thy spouse,


s: All thy old woes shall now smile on thee,


s: Tears shall take comfort, and turn gems,


s: Thy wounds shall blush to such bright scars


s: Those rare works, where thou shalt leave writ


s: They feed our souls, shall clothe thine there.


s: Our hard hearts shall strike fire, the same


s: Whose light shall live bright in thy face


s: Life brought them first to kiss the light


s: Steps, walk with Him those ways of light,


s: By thy large draughts of intellectual day,


s: And by thy thirsts of love more large than they;


s: By all thy brim-fill'd bowls of fierce desire,


s: By thy last morning's draught of liquid fire;


s: That seized thy parting soul, and seal'd thee His;


s: Contend, the powers of heaven and earth,


s: Proud world, said I, cease your contest,


s: The babe, whose birth embraves this morn,


s: Your fleece is white, but 'tis too cold.


s: For well they now can spare their wings,


s: Whose wealth 's their flocks, whose wit 's to be


s: We'll bring the first-born of her flowers,


s: To Thee, dread Lamb! whose love must keep


s: The shepherds while they feed their sheep.


s: Ourselves become our own best sacrifice!


s: It gives tho' bound, tho' bound 'tis free!


s: Pity from blustering wind or swallowing wave.


s: Unseen, unknown; and greet as Angels greet.


s: In Heaven, their earthy bodies left behind.


s: Chain'd to her brave feet with such arts,


s: O THOU that swing'st upon the waving hair


s: Dropt thee from heaven, where thou wert rear'd!


s: The joys of earth and air are thine entire,


s: That with thy feet and wings dost hop and fly;


s: And when thy poppy works, thou dost retire


s: Up with the day, the Sun thou welcom'st then,


s: Sport'st in the gilt plaits of his beams,


s: And all these merry days mak'st merry men,


s: They drink and dance by their own light,


s: Scarce could the Morn drive on th' unwilling Light,


s: When Sleep, Death's image, left my troubled breast


s: My eyes with tears did uncommanded flow,


s: What bell was that? Ah me! too much I know!


s: Why hast thou left me thus unkindly here,


s: Than I, my dearest Friend, do part from thee.


s: My dearest Friend, would I had died for thee!


s: Life and this world henceforth will tedious be:


s: Alas! my treasure 's gone; why do I stay?


s: Say, for you saw us, ye immortal lights,


s: How oft unwearied have we spent the nights,


s: Till the Ledaean stars, so famed for love,


s: We spent them not in toys, in lusts, or wine;


s: Arts which I loved, for they, my Friend, were thine.


s: Ye fields of Cambridge, our dear Cambridge, say


s: Was there a tree about which did not know


s: Henceforth, ye gentle trees, for ever fade;


s: Dark as the grave wherein my Friend is laid!


s: Large was his soul: as large a soul as e'er


s: High as the place 'twas shortly in Heaven to have,


s: So high that all the virtues there did come,


s: Knowledge he only sought, and so soon caught


s: As if for him Knowledge had rather sought;


s: Whene'er the skilful youth discoursed or writ,


s: Nor could his ink flow faster than his wit.


s: His mirth was the pure spirits of various wit,


s: Yet never did his God or friends forget;


s: And when deep talk and wisdom came in view,


s: For the rich help of books he always took,


s: As if wise Nature had made that her book.


s: He always lived, as other saints do die.


s: Still with his soul severe account he kept,


s: Then down in peace and innocence he lay,


s: But happy Thou, ta'en from this frantic age,


s: Where ignorance and hypocrisy does rage!


s: A fitter time for Heaven no soul e'er chose--


s: There 'mong the blest thou dost for ever shine;


s: See'st not a soul clothed with more light than thine.


s: This busy world and I shall ne'er agree.


s: May I a small house and large garden have;


s: And a few friends, and many books, both true,


s: Myself eased of unpeaceful thoughts espy?


s: O fields! O woods! when, when shall I be made


s: Here 's the spring-head of Pleasure's flood:


s: Here nought but winds can hurtful murmurs scatter,


s: From heaven did always choose their way:


s: And one dear She live, and embracing die!


s: She who is all the world, and can exclude


s: And like the three-fork'd lightning, first


s: Their leaves, that to the stalks are curl'd,


s: Seem to their staves the ensigns furl'd.


s: She runs you through, nor asks the word.


s: And the last age should show your heart.


s: And tear our pleasures with rough strife


s: slow-chapt] slow-jawed, slowly devouring.


s: The wilder flowers, and gives them names;


s: What colour best becomes them, and what smell.


s: Ere they have tried their force to wound;


s: Ere with their glancing wheels they drive


s: Where I may see the glories from some shade.


s: Whom Nature courts with fruits and flowers,


s: Nip in the blossom all our hopes and thee.


s: While all the flowers and trees do close


s: Cut in these trees their mistress' name:


s: Fair trees! wheres'e'er your barks I wound,


s: How could such sweet and wholesome hours


s: Be reckon'd, but with herbs and flowers!


s: Safe from the storms' and prelates' rage:


s: SURE thou didst flourish once! and many springs,


s: Many bright mornings, much dew, many showers,


s: Pass'd o'er thy head; many light hearts and wings,


s: Which now are dead, lodg'd in thy living bowers.


s: And still a new succession sings and flies;


s: Fresh groves grow up, and their green branches shoot


s: Towards the old and still enduring skies,


s: While the low violet thrives at their root.


s: Of death, doth waste all senseless, cold, and dark;


s: Where not so much as dreams of light may shine,


s: Nor any thought of greenness, leaf, or bark.


s: And yet--as if some deep hate and dissent,


s: Bred in thy growth betwixt high winds and thee,


s: Were still alive--thou dost great storms resent


s: Before they come, and know'st how near they be.


s: Else all at rest thou liest, and the fierce breath


s: Of tempests can no more disturb thy ease;


s: But this thy strange resentment after death


s: Means only those who broke--in life--thy peace.


s: THEY are all gone into the world of light!


s: It glows and glitters in my cloudy breast,


s: Or those faint beams in which this hill is drest


s: My days, which are at best but dull and hoary,


s: These are your walks, and you have show'd them me,


s: He that hath found some fledg'd bird's nest may know,


s: But what fair well or grove he sings in now,


s: And yet as Angels in some brighter dreams


s: So some strange thoughts transcend our wonted themes,


s: Her captive flames must needs burn there;


s: But when the hand that lock'd her up gives room,


s: Resume Thy spirit from this world of thrall


s: Either disperse these mists, which blot and fill


s: Ballads and Songs By Unknown Authors. 17th Cent.


s: 'Light down, light down now, true Thomas,


s: Ye'll ne'er win back to your ain countrie.'


s: It was mirk, mirk night, there was nae starlight,


s: For a' the blude that 's shed on the earth


s: Rins through the springs o' that countrie.


s: It will give thee the tongue that can never lee.'


s: 'My tongue is my ain,' true Thomas he said;


s: 'I dought neither speak to prince or peer,


s: And a pair o' shoon of the velvet green;


s: And till seven years were gane and past,


s: 'Be it wind, be it weet, be it hail, be it sleet,


s: They hoysed their sails on Monenday morn


s: When the lift grew dark, and the wind blew loud,


s: They fetch'd a web o' the silken claith,


s: And they wapp'd them round that gude ship's side,


s: O laith, laith were our gude Scots lords


s: skeely] skilful.  lift] sky.  lap] sprang.  flatter'd] tossed


s: Ballads and Songs By Unknown Authors. 17th Cent.


s: She sail'd it round, and sail'd it round,


s: 'Now break, now break your fairy charms,


s: And long she knock'd, and sair she ca'd.


s: When the cock has crawn, and the day did dawn,


s: She stood last night at your bower-door,


s: Then first he kiss'd her pale, pale cheek,


s: He thrust it through and through his heart,


s: jimp] trim.  kame] comb.  haw bayberry] ?a corruption for 'braw


s: She kiss'd his cheek, she kamed his hair,


s: Till that stubborn knight came him behind,


s: 'Tak hame your ousen, tak hame your kye,


s: lawin'] reckoning.  marrow] mate, husband or wife.  dowie]


s: 'Then I'll take the sword frae my scabbard


s: 'They hae been in love this mony a year.'


s: But he has striped his bright brown brand


s: Clerk Saunders he started, and Margaret she turn'd


s: The clinking bell gaed through the town,


s: And Clerk Saunders stood at may Margaret's window,


s: 'Your faith and troth ye sall never get,


s: 'Their beds are made in the heavens high,


s: Down at the foot of our good Lord's knee,


s: She has given it him out at the shot-window,


s: 'I thank ye, Marg'ret; I thank ye, Marg'ret;


s: 'Is there ony room at your head, Saunders?


s: 'There 's nae room at my head, Marg'ret,


s: ''Tis time, 'tis time, my dear Marg'ret,


s: Ballads and Songs By Unknown Authors. 17th Cent.


s: Three months and a day were gane and past,


s: And she 's gane up to the highest tower,


s: 'O ye're welcome hame, my ain gude lord,


s: Then out and spak the bonny young Bride,


s: 'That 's like my sister Annie,' she says;


s: 'I'll put on my gown,' said the new-come Bride,


s: 'What ails you, what ails you, my housekeeper,


s: But because I've lost my true love's love,


s: 'Noo tell me wha was your father?' she says,


s: 'WHY does your brand sae drop wi' blude,


s: 'Your steed was auld, and ye hae got mair,


s: Your steed was auld, and ye hae got mair;


s: 'And whatten penance will ye dree for that,


s: 'And what will ye do wi' your tow'rs and your ha',


s: And what will ye do wi' your tow'rs and your ha',


s: 'I'll let them stand till they doun fa',


s: 'And what will ye leave to your bairns and your wife,


s: And what will ye leave to your bairns and your wife,


s: 'The warld's room: let them beg through life,


s: The warld's room: let them beg through life;


s: 'And what will ye leave to your ain mither dear,


s: And what will ye leave to your ain mither dear,


s: 'The curse of hell frae me sall ye bear,


s: Ballads and Songs By Unknown Authors. 17th Cent.


s: This night sall ye lig within mine arms,


s: For, but an I pierce that bluidy butcher,


s: 'Set fire to the house!' quo' fals Gordon,


s: Says, 'Mither dear, gie owre this house,


s: Let it ne'er be said that Edom o' Gordon


s: She wept, and kiss'd her children twain,


s: This house o' the Rodes is a' in a flame;


s: And soon i' the Gordon's foul heart's blude


s: town] stead.  buskit] attired.  wud] mad.  grund-wa']


s: ground-wall.  jimp] slender, trim.  row] roll, wrap.  Busk and


s: boun] trim up and prepare to go.  freits] ill omens.  lowe]


s: Till she was beloved by a' the King's court


s: Till frae the King's court Marie Hamilton,


s: Saying--'Marie Hamilton, where 's your babe?


s: Let neither my father nor mother get wit


s: That neither my father nor mother get wit


s: wroken] avenged.  row'd] rolled, wrapped.  greet] cry.  hooly]


s: Ballads and Songs By Unknown Authors. 17th Cent.


s: He courted the eldest with glove and ring,


s: But he lo'ed the youngest abune a thing.


s: And let 's go down to the river-strand.'


s: There 's either a mermaid or a milk-white swan.'


s: He 's ta'en three locks o' her yellow hair,


s: But the last tune that the harp play'd then--


s: IT fell on a day, and a bonnie simmer day,


s: Lady Ogilvie looks o'er her bower-window,


s: Come to plunder the bonnie house of Airlie.


s: If he shouldna leave a standing stane in Airlie.'


s: 'O it 's east and west yon wan water side,


s: And it 's down by the banks of the Airlie.'


s: They hae sought it up, they hae sought it down,


s: That shines on the bowling-green of Airlie.


s: He hath taken her by the middle sae small,


s: And laid her down by the bonnie burn-side,


s: Til they plunder'd the castle of Airlie.


s: Neither you, nor ony ither Scottish lord,


s: 'Then bonnie sons I have borne unto him,


s: Ballads and Songs By Unknown Authors. 17th Cent.


s: The carline wife's three sons came hame,


s: 'Lie still, lie still but a little wee while,


s: Gin my mother should miss us when she wakes,


s: fashes] troubles.  syke] marsh.  sheugh] trench.  channerin']


s: There lies a knight slain under his shield;


s: Such hounds, such hawks, and such a leman.


s: But his hawk, his hound, and his lady fair.


s: We'll theek our nest when it grows bare.


s: O'er his white banes, when they are bare,


s: corbies] ravens.  fail] turf.  hause] neck.  theek] thatch.


s: If hosen and shoon thou ne'er gav'st nane


s: The whinnes sall prick thee to the bare bane;


s: From Brig o' Dread when thou may'st pass,


s: If meat or drink thou ne'er gav'st nane,


s: The fire will burn thee to the bare bane;


s: ALL under the leaves and the leaves of life


s: 'O what are you seeking, you seven fair maids,


s: Then He laid His head on His right shoulder,


s: Ballads and Songs By Unknown Authors. 17th Cent.


s: Curst be the heart that thought the thought,


s: And shake the green leaves aff the tree?


s: I had lock'd my heart in a case o' gowd,


s: Tho' your heart's blood were a-spillin'!


s: That ye made the healths go round and round,


s: Disputes with princes, laws, and rights,


s: What 's done and past tells mortal wights,


s: Wine's emulous neighbour, though but stale,


s: And filling each man's heart with laughter--


s: Though my first death proclaim thee fair,


s: FORBEAR, bold youth; all 's heaven here,


s: To the Pious Memory of the accomplished young lady,


s: THOU youngest virgin-daughter of the skies,


s: Made in the last promotion of the blest;


s: In spreading branches more sublimely rise,


s: Rich with immortal green above the rest:


s: Whether, adopted to some neighbouring star,


s: Thou roll'st above us, in thy wandering race,


s: Thou tread'st with seraphims the vast abyss:


s: Cease thy celestial song a little space;


s: Thou wilt have time enough for hymns divine,


s: Hear, then, a mortal Muse thy praise rehearse,


s: But such as thy own voice did practise here,


s: When thy first-fruits of Poesy were given,


s: A soul so charming from a stock so good;


s: Thy father was transfus'd into thy blood:


s: So wert thou born into the tuneful strain,


s: It did through all the mighty poets roll


s: And was that Sappho last, which once it was before.


s: If so, then cease thy flight, O heaven-born mind!


s: Thou hast no dross to purge from thy rich ore:


s: Than was the beauteous frame she left behind:


s: Return, to fill or mend the quire of thy celestial kind.


s: May we presume to say, that, at thy birth,


s: New joy was sprung in heaven as well as here on earth?


s: And even the most malicious were in trine.


s: Strung each his lyre, and tun'd it high,


s: On thy sweet mouth distill'd their golden dew,


s: Solemniz'd there thy birth, and kept thy holiday above.


s: Made prostitute and profligate the Muse,


s: Debas'd to each obscene and impious use,


s: For tongues of angels and for hymns of love!


s: To increase the streaming ordures of the stage?


s: What can we say to excuse our second fall?


s: Let this thy Vestal, Heaven, atone for all!


s: Unmixt with foreign filth, and undefil'd;


s: Her wit was more than man, her innocence a child.


s: That it seem'd borrow'd, where 'twas only born.


s: Her morals, too, were in her bosom bred,


s: What in the best of books, her father's life, she read.


s: And to be read herself she need not fear;


s: Each test, and every light, her Muse will bear,


s: Though Epictetus with his lamp were there.


s: Even love (for love sometimes her Muse exprest)


s: Was but a lambent flame which play'd about her breast,


s: Light as the vapours of a morning dream;


s: So cold herself, whilst she such warmth exprest,


s: 'Twas Cupid bathing in Diana's stream....


s: Now all those charms, that blooming grace,


s: The well-proportion'd shape, and beauteous face,


s: Shall never more be seen by mortal eyes;


s: To sweep at once her life and beauty too;


s: But, like a harden'd felon, took a pride


s: And plunder'd first, and then destroy'd.


s: To rob the relic, and deface the shrine!


s: Heaven, by the same disease, did both translate;


s: As equal were their souls, so equal was their fate.


s: Meantime, her warlike brother on the seas


s: His waving streamers to the winds displays,


s: And vows for his return, with vain devotion, pays.


s: Alas, thou know'st not, thou art wreck'd at home!


s: No more shalt thou behold thy sister's face,


s: But look aloft, and if thou kenn'st from far,


s: If any sparkles than the rest more bright,


s: 'Tis she that shines in that propitious light.


s: When in mid-air the golden trump shall sound,


s: The judging God shall close the book of Fate,


s: When sinews o'er the skeletons are spread,


s: Those cloth'd with flesh, and life inspires the dead;


s: The sacred poets first shall hear the sound,


s: For they are cover'd with the lightest ground;


s: And straight, with inborn vigour, on the wing,


s: Like mounting larks, to the new morning sing.


s: There thou, sweet Saint, before the quire shalt go,


s: As harbinger of Heaven, the way to show,


s: The way which thou so well hast learn'd below.


s: Through all the compass of the notes it ran,


s: What passion cannot Music raise and quell?


s: Less than a God they thought there could not dwell


s: Charge, charge, 'tis too late to retreat!


s: Whose dirge is whisper'd by the warbling lute.


s: But bright Cecilia rais'd the wonder higher:


s: When to her organ vocal breath was given,


s: I FEED a flame within, which so torments me


s: That it both pains my heart, and yet contents me:


s: 'Tis such a pleasing smart, and I so love it,


s: That I had rather die than once remove it.


s: Yet he, for whom I grieve, shall never know it;


s: My tongue does not betray, nor my eyes show it.


s: Not a sigh, nor a tear, my pain discloses,


s: But they fall silently, like dew on roses.


s: Thus, to prevent my Love from being cruel,


s: My heart 's the sacrifice, as 'tis the fuel;


s: And while I suffer this to give him quiet,


s: My faith rewards my love, though he deny it.


s: On his eyes will I gaze, and there delight me;


s: While I conceal my love no frown can fright me.


s: Nor can I fall more low, mounting no higher.


s: Where thou hadst plac'd such power before,


s: As if my treasure and my wealth lay there;


s: 'Twas wont to call my Soul into mine ear;


s: My very joys themselves, my foreign treasure--


s: With so much joy they came, with so much pleasure.


s: My soul in childhood with a hope so strong?


s: To expect my joys beyond the seas, so young?


s: That all the treasures of the world were by:


s: And crown of all which round about did lie.


s: When friends shall shake their heads, and say


s: See how he struggles with the pangs of death!'


s: When they shall say of these dear eyes--


s: When some old friend shall step to my bedside,


s: Touch my chill face, and thence shall gently slide.


s: 'How does he do? What hopes?'--shall turn away,


s: Persuade the world to trouble me no more!


s: Bring floods of grief to Whitehall stairs--


s: From men who've left their hearts behind?--


s: Or who 's our friend, or who 's our foe--


s: To you, when all those tunes were play'd--