To Celia 591 Foes sometimes befriend us more, our blacker deeds objecting, Than the obsequious bosom-guest with false respect affecting: Friendship is the Glass of Truth, our hidden stains detecting. When I use of eyes enjoy, and inward light of reason, KIND ARE HER ANSWERS " KIND are her answers, But her performance keeps no day; Breaks time, as dancers From their own music when they stray. All her free favors And smooth words wing my hopes in vain. O, did ever voice so sweet but only feign? Lost is our freedom When we submit to women so: Why do we need 'em When, in their best, they work our woe? There is no wisdom Can alter ends by fate prefixed. O, why is the good of man with evil mixed? Never were days yet called two But one night went betwixt. DRINK to me only with thine eyes, too And I will pledge with mine; 592 The thirst that from the soul doth rise Doth ask a drink divine; But might I of Jove's nectar sup, I sent thee late a rosy wreath, But thou thereon didst only breathe, And sent'st it back to me; Since when it grows, and smells, I swear, Not of itself but thee! Ben Jonson (1573?-1637] SONG From "The Forest " O, Do not wanton with those eyes, Nor cast them down, but let them rise, O, be not angry with those fires, Nor look too kind on my desires, O, do not steep them in thy tears, Nor spread them as distract with fears; Mine own enough betray me. Ben Jonson (1573?-1637] SONG Go and catch a falling star, Get with child a mandrake root, Or who cleft the Devil's foot; The Message Teach me to hear mermaid's singing, What wind Serves to advance an honest mind. If thou be'st born to strange sights, Ride ten thousand days and nights Till Age snow white hairs on thee; Thou, when thou return'st, wilt tell me All strange wonders that befell thee, And swear No where Lives a woman true and fair. If thou find'st one, let me know; Though at next door we might meet. Yet she Will be False, ere I come, to two or three. 593 John Donne [1573+1631] THE MESSAGE SEND home my long-strayed eyes to me, To sweetly smile, And then beguile, Keep the deceivers, keep them still. Send home my harmless heart again, Which no unworthy thought could stain: 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. SONG John Donne [1573-1631] LADIES, though to your conquering eyes And borrows those bright arms from you Then rack not lovers with disdain, It is no armor for the heart. George Etherege [1635?-1691] TO A LADY ASKING HIM HOW LONG HE WOULD LOVE HER Ir is not, Celia, in our power To say how long our love will last; It may be we within this hour May lose those joys we now do taste: The Blessed, that immortal be, From change in love are only free. Then since we mortal lovers are, Ask not how long our love will last; But while it does, let us take care Each minute be with pleasure passed: Were it not madness to deny To live because we're sure to die? George Etherege [1635?-1691] To Anthea 595 TO ENONE WHAT Conscience, say, is it in thee, To take away that heart from me, For shame or pity now incline Covet not both; but if thou dost Why, yet to show that thou art just, Take me and mine together! Robert Herrick [1591-1674] TO ANTHEA, WHO MAY COMMAND HIM BID me to live, and I will live Thy Protestant to be; Or bid me love, and I will give A heart as soft, a heart as kind, As in the whole world thou canst find, Bid that heart stay, and it will stay To honor thy decree; Or bid it languish quite away, And 't shall do so for thee. Bid me to weep, and I will weep, |