Volume Ii Part 11 (1/2)

OF PHYLLIS

In petticoat of green, Her hair about her eyne, Phyllis beneath an oak Sat milking her fair flock: Among that sweet-strained moisture, rare delight, Her hand seemed milk in milk, it was so white.

William Drummond [1585-1649]

A WELCOME

Welcome, welcome, do I sing, Far more welcome than the spring; He that parteth from you never Shall enjoy a spring forever.

He that to the voice is near, Breaking from your ivory pale, Need not walk abroad to hear The delightful nightingale.

He that looks still on your eyes, Though the winter have begun To benumb our arteries, Shall not want the summer's sun.

He that still may see your cheeks, Where all rareness still reposes, Is a fool if e'er he seeks Other lilies, other roses.

He to whom your soft lip yields, And perceives your breath in kissing, All the odors of the fields Never, never shall be missing.

He that question would anew What fair Eden was of old, Let him rightly study you, And a brief of that behold.

Welcome, welcome, then I sing, Far more welcome than the spring; He that parteth from you never, Shall enjoy a spring forever.

William Browne [1591-1643?]

THE COMPLETE LOVER

For her gait, if she be walking; Be she sitting, I desire her For her state's sake; and admire her For her wit if she be talking; Gait and state and wit approve her; For which all and each I love her.

Be she sullen, I commend her For a modest. Be she merry, For a kind one her prefer I.

Briefly, everything doth lend her So much grace, and so approve her, That for everything I love her.

William Browne [1591-1643?]

RUBIES AND PEARLS

Some asked me where the rubies grew, And nothing I did say, But with my finger pointed to The lips of Julia.

Some asked how pearls did grow, and where; Then spoke I to my girl, To part her lips, and showed them there The quarrelets of pearl.

Robert Herrick [1591-1674]