Volume Ii Part 28 (1/2)

Sing round about her rosy bed That waking she may wonder: Say to her, 'tis her lover true That sendeth love to you, to you!

And when you hear her kind reply, Return with pleasant warblings.

Thomas Heywood [?--1650?]

”HOW CAN THE HEART FORGET HER”

At her fair hands how have I grace entreated With prayers oft repeated!

Yet still my love is thwarted: Heart, let her go, for she'll not be converted-- Say, shall she go?

O no, no, no, no, no!

She is most fair, though she be marble-hearted.

How often have my sighs declared my anguish, Wherein I daily languis.h.!.+

Yet still she doth procure it: Heart, let her go, for I cannot endure it-- Say, shall she go?

O no, no, no, no, no!

She gave the wound, and she alone must cure it.

But shall I still a true affection owe her, Which prayers, sighs, tears do show her, And shall she still disdain me?

Heart, let her go, if they no grace can gain me-- Say, shall she go?

O no, no, no, no, no!

She made me hers, and hers she will retain me.

But if the love that hath and still doth burn me No love at length return me, Out of my thoughts I'll set her: Heart, let her go, O heart I pray thee, let her!

Say, shall she go?

O no, no, no, no, no!

Fixed in the heart, how can the heart forget her?

Francis Davison [fl. 1602]

TO ROSES IN THE BOSOM OF CASTARA

Ye blus.h.i.+ng virgins happy are In the chaste nunnery of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s-- For he'd profane so chaste a fair, Whoe'er should call them Cupid's nests.

Transplanted thus how bright ye grow!

How rich a perfume do ye yield!

In some close garden cowslips so Are sweeter than in the open field.