Then, sweet, let us embrace and kiss:
Shall beauty shale[16] upon the ground?
If age bereave us of this bliss,
Then will no more such sport be found.
[16] Shell, husk (as peas).
From Thomas Weelkes’ Ballets and Madrigals, 1598.
Sweet heart, arise! why do you sleep
From Robert Jones’ Musical Dream, 1609.
Sweet Kate
Unkind,
I find
Thy delight is in tormenting:
Abide!
(I cried)
Or I die with thy consenting.
Te hee, quoth she,
Make no fool of me;
Men, I know, have oaths at pleasure,
But, their hopes attainèd,
They bewray they feignèd,
And their oaths are kept at leisure.
Her words,
Like swords,
Cut my sorry heart in sunder,
Her flouts
With doubts
Kept my heart-affections under.
Te hee, quoth she,
What a fool is he
Stands in awe of once denying!
Cause I had enough
To become more rough,
So I did—O happy trying!
From John Wilbye’s Madrigals, 1598.
Sweet Love, if thou wilt gain a monarch’s glory,