From Melpomene; or the Muses' Delight, 1678.
Fading Beauty.
TAKE Time, my dear, ere Time takes wing:
Beauty knows no second spring.
Marble pillars, tombs of brass,
Time breaks down, much more this glass.
Then ere that tyrant Time bespeak it,
Let's drink healths in't first, then break it.
At twenty-five in women's eyes
Beauty does fade, at thirty dies.
From Comes Amoris, 1687.
WHEN[70] first Amyntas sued for a kiss
My innocent heart was tender,
That though I pushed him away from the bliss,
My eyes declared my heart was won.
I fain an artful coyness would use
Before the fort I did surrender;
But Love would suffer no more such abuse,
And soon alas! my cheat was known.
He'd sit all day, and laugh and play;
A thousand pretty things would say;
My hand he'd squeeze, and press my knees,
Till further on he got by degrees.
My heart, just like a vessel at sea,
Would toss when Amyntas was near me.
But ah, so cunning a pilot was he,
Through doubts and fears he'd still sail on;
I thought in him no danger could be,
So wisely he knew how to steer me;
And soon, alas! was brought t'agree
To taste of joys before unknown.
Well might he boast his pain not lost,
For soon he found the golden coast,
Enjoyed the ore, and touched the shore
Where never merchant went before.
From Thomas Weelkes' Airs or Fantastic Spirits, 1608.
SOME men desire spouses
That come of noble houses,
And some would have in marriage
Ladies of courtly carriage:
Fa la la!
But few desire, as I do,
The maidenhead of a widow.
Fa la la!
Some think fair youth will cherish
Strength that begins to perish;
I'll have no colts to taming,
Let me be young'st at gaming.
Fa la la!
I'll get o'er, I'll go nigh to,
The maidenhead of a widow.
Fa la la!