IIis flocks are folded; he comes home at night As merry as a king in his delight, And merrier, too; For kings bethink them what the State require, Where shepherds careless carol by the fire; Ah then, &c. He kisseth first, then sits as blithe to eat For kings have often tremours when they sup, Upon his couch of straw he sleeps as sound More sounder, too; For cares cause kings full oft their sleep to spill, Where weary shepherds lie and snort their fill: Ah then, &c. Thus with his wife he spends the year as blithe As doth the king at every tide or syth, And blither, too; For kings have wars and broils to take in hand, Where shepherds laugh, and love upon the land: Ah then, &c. Robert Greene. IX. PHILLIDA AND CORYDON. IN the merry month of May, In a morn by break of day, With a troop of damsels playing Phillida and Corydon. Much ado there was, God wot! He would love, and she would not: She said, never man was true: Corydon would kiss her then, Thus, with many a pretty oath, Nicholas Breton. X. SEND back my long-stray'd eyes to me, Keep the deceivers, keep them still. Send home my harmless heart again, Which no unworthy thought could stain; But if it has been taught by thine To forfeit both Its word and oath, Keep it, for then 'tis none of mine. Yet send me back my heart and eyes, That I one day may laugh, when thou Of one the scorn, Who proves as false as thou art now. John Donne. XI. WOMAN'S INCONSTANCY. I LOVED thee once, I'll love no more, Thine be the grief as is the blame; Nothing could have my love o'erthrown, When new desires had conquer'd thee, It had been lethargy in me, Not constancy to love thee still. Yea, it had been a sin to go Since we are taught no prayers to say Yet do thou glory in thy choice,- I'll neither grieve nor yet rejoice The height of my disdain shall be Sir Robert Ayton. XII. THE SILENT LOVER. WRONG not, sweet empress of my heart, With thinking that he feels no smart, Since, if my plaints serve not to approve It comes not from defect of love, For knowing that I sue to serve I rather choose to want relief Than venture the revealing; Thus those desires that aim too high When reason cannot make them die, Yet, when discretion doth bereave Silence in love bewrays more woe Then wrong not, dearest to my heart, He smarteth most that hides his smart, Sir Walter Raleigh XIII. SINCE first I saw your face I vowed My heart I had never known you. If I admire or praise too much, The sun, whose beams most glorious are, And thy sweet beauty, past compare, Where beauty moves, and wit delights, I leave my heart behind me. Unknown. XIV. PHILLIS is my only joy, Faithless as the winds or seas, I am cast down, Phillis smiling, And beguiling, Makes me happier than before. |