Volume Ii Part 78 (2/2)

May I find a woman wise, And her falsehood not disguise!

Hath she wit as she hath will, Double-armed she is to ill.

May I find a woman kind, And not wavering like the wind!

How should I call that love mine When 'tis his, and his, and thine?

May I find a woman true!

There is beauty's fairest hue: There is beauty, love, and wit.

Happy he can compa.s.s it!

Francis Beaumont [1584-1616]

THE INDIFFERENT

Never more will I protest To love a woman but in jest: For as they cannot be true, So to give each man his due, When the wooing fit is past, Their affection cannot last.

Therefore if I chance to meet With a mistress fair and sweet, She my service shall obtain, Loving her for love again: Thus much liberty I crave Not to be a constant slave.

But when we have tried each other, If she better like another, Let her quickly change for me; Then to change am I as free.

He or she that loves too long Sell their freedom for a song.

Francis Beaumont [1584-1616]

THE LOVER'S RESOLUTION

Shall I, wasting in despair, Die because a woman's fair?

Or make pale my cheeks with care 'Cause another's rosy are?

Be she fairer than the day, Or the flowery meads in May, If she think not well of me, What care I how fair she be?

Shall my silly heart be pined 'Cause I see a woman kind?

Or a well disposed nature Joined with a lovely feature?

Be she meeker, kinder, than Turtle-dove or pelican, If she be not so to me, What care I how kind she be?

Shall a woman's virtues move Me to perish for her love?

Or her well-deservings known Make me quite forget my own?

Be she with that goodness blest Which may merit name of Best, If she be not such to me, What care I how good she be?

'Cause her fortune seems too high, Shall I play the fool and die?

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