WHEN She was born, whom I entirely love; JOVE then enduèd her with Comeliness; MERCURY with Wit and Knowledge did her bless; VENUS with Beauty did all parts bedeck; LUNA therewith did Modesty combine; DIANA chaste, all loose desires did check: And like a lamp in clearness She doth shine! But MARS, according to his stubborn kind, No virtue gave; but a disdainful mind! You, that embrace enchanting Poesy, My heart! thereof to make a pure oblation. Thy parts, above each absolute perfection! How he, of every precious thing, deviseth To make thee Sovereign! Grant me then afíection; Else thus I prize thee-CHLORIS is alone More hard than gold! or pearl! or precious stone! 'CHANGE thy mind! since She doth change. Thy untruth can not seem strange; She doth live; but dead to thee! 'When She loved thee best a while; See how still She did delay thee! Using shows for to beguile Those vain hopes which have betrayed thee. Now thou seest, but all too late, Love loves truth; which Women hate!' Love, farewell! more dear to me Others have what thou deservedst. They enjoy what 's not their own! Yet, thus much, to ease my mind, FORTUNE NOW hath done her worst; 'Love no more! since She is gone. Leave to love; and love no other! THERE is none, O, none but you! To make them happy that are kind. Endless volumes I may write, And fill the world with envied books: Which, when after Ages view, All shall wonder and despair; Women, to find a man so true! And men, a woman half so fair! THE BARGİNET OF ANTIMACHUS. IN pride of youth, in midst of May, I sat me down fast by a spring, Amidst my doubt and mind's debate, In silver plumes, yet naked quite; A bow he bare, to work men's wrack; With many arrows filled: And, in his soft and pretty hand, Fast by his side, in rich array, And trimmed his bow, and taught him flee, Oft from her lap, at sundry stours, But see the chance! that followed fast, A bee, that harboured hard thereby, Fair VENUS, that beheld her son, And thereupon she swounded. 'My little lad!' the Goddess said, The honeyworker in the hive, She kissed the lad. Now, mark the chance! 'Ah! wanton boy! like to the bee, And hapless love included! |