Volume Ii Part 26 (1/2)

”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?

Can true love yield such delay, Converting joy to pain?

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.

Thomas Campion [?--1619]

TO CELIA From ”The Forest”

Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss but in the cup And I'll not look for wine.

The thirst that from the soul doth rise Doth ask a drink divine; But might I of Jove's nectar sup, I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath, Not so much honoring thee As giving it a hope that there It could not withered be; 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, Lest I be sick with seeing; Nor cast them down, but let them rise, Lest shame destroy their being.

O, be not angry with those fires, For then their threats will kill me; Nor look too kind on my desires, For then my hopes will spill me.

O, do not steep them in thy tears, For so will sorrow slay me; 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, Tell me where all past years are, Or who cleft the Devil's foot; Teach me to hear mermaid's singing, Or to keep off envy's stinging, And find What wind Serves to advance an honest mind.