When I lie tangled in her hair The birds that wanton in the air When flowing cups run swiftly round Our careless heads with roses bound, When healths and draughts go free- Know no such liberty. When, like committed linnets, I Stone walls do not a prison make, That for an hermitage; If I have freedom in my love And in my soul am free, Angels alone, that soar above, Enjoy such liberty. Richard Lovelace [1618-1658] WHY I LOVE HER 'Tis not her birth, her friends, nor yet her treasure, Nor do I covet her for sensual pleasure, Nor for that old morality Do I love her, 'cause she loves me. To His Coy Mistress 607 Sure he that loves his lady 'cause she's fair, TO HIS COY MISTRESS HAD we but world enough, and time, And the last age should show your heart. For, Lady, you deserve this state, Nor would I love at lower rate. But at my back I always hear Time's winged chariot hurrying near; Thy beauty shall no more be found, Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound My echoing song: then worms shall try The grave's a fine and private place, But none, I think, do there embrace. Now therefore, while the youthful hue And tear our pleasures with rough strife Thus, though we cannot make our sun Andrew Marvell [1621-1678] A DEPOSITION FROM BEAUTY THOUGH When I loved thee thou wert fair, These glories all the pride they wear Unto opinion owe. Beauties, like stars, in borrowed luster shine; The flames that dwelt within thine eye Thy brightest graces fade and die At once with my desire. Love's fires thus mutual influence return; Then, proud Celinda, hope no more Since by thy scorn thou dost restore And thy despised disdain too late shall find That none are fair but who are kind. Thomas Stanley [1625–1678] To Celia "LOVE IN THY YOUTH, FAIR MAID" Love in thy youth, fair maid, be wise, Thou as heaven art fair and young, Then winter comes with all his fears, Too late then wilt thou shower thy tears, And I, too late, shall sorrow. 609 Unknown TO CELIA WHEN, Celia, must my old day set, In beams of joy so bright as yet Ne'er blessed a lover's eyes? My state is more advanced than when I first attempted thee: I sued to be a servant then, But now to be made free. I've served my time faithful and true, Expecting to be placed In happy freedom, as my due, To all the joys thou hast: Ill husbandry in love is such A scandal to love's power, We ought not to misspend so much. Yet think not, sweet, I'm weary grown, That I pretend such haste;, Since none to surfeit e'er was known [ My infant love could humbly wait Charles Cotton [1630 -1687] TO CELIA NOT, Celia, that I juster am Or better than the rest! For I would change each hour, like them, Were not my heart at rest. But I am tied to very thee All that in woman is adored For the whole sex can but afford Why then should I seek further store, When change itself can give no more, 'Tis easy to be true! Charles Sedley [1639 -1701] A SONG My dear mistress has a heart Soft as those kind looks she gave me; When with love's resistless art, And her eyes, she did enslave me. But her constancy's so weak, She's so wild and apt to wander, That my jealous heart would break Should we live one day asunder. ! |