Part 7 (1/2)
Pray hurt him not; though he be dead, He knows well who do love him; And who with green turfs rear his head, And who do rudely move him.
He's soft and tender, pray take heed, With bands of cowslips bind him, And bring him home;--but 'tis decreed That I shall never find him.
44. THE CHEAT OF CUPID; OR, THE UNGENTLE GUEST
One silent night of late, When every creature rested, Came one unto my gate, And knocking, me molested.
Who's that, said I, beats there, And troubles thus the sleepy?
Cast off; said he, all fear, And let not locks thus keep ye.
For I a boy am, who By moonless nights have swerved; And all with showers wet through, And e'en with cold half starved.
I pitiful arose, And soon a taper lighted; And did myself disclose Unto the lad benighted.
I saw he had a bow, And wings too, which did s.h.i.+ver; And looking down below, I spied he had a quiver.
I to my chimney's s.h.i.+ne Brought him, as Love professes, And chafed his hands with mine, And dried his dropping tresses.
But when he felt him warm'd, Let's try this bow of ours And string, if they be harm'd, Said he, with these late showers.
Forthwith his bow he bent, And wedded string and arrow, And struck me, that it went Quite through my heart and marrow
Then laughing loud, he flew Away, and thus said flying, Adieu, mine host, adieu, I'll leave thy heart a-dying.
45. UPON CUPID
Love, like a gipsy, lately came, And did me much importune To see my hand, that by the same He might foretell my fortune.
He saw my palm; and then, said he, I tell thee, by this score here, That thou, within few months, shalt be The youthful Prince D'Amour here.
I smiled, and bade him once more prove, And by some cross-line show it, That I could ne'er be Prince of Love, Though here the Princely Poet.
46. TO BE MERRY
Let's now take our time, While we're in our prime, And old, old age is afar off; For the evil, evil days Will come on apace, Before we can be aware of.
47. UPON HIS GRAY HAIRS
Fly me not, though I be gray, Lady, this I know you'll say; Better look the roses red, When with white commingled.
Black your hairs are; mine are white; This begets the more delight, When things meet most opposite; As in pictures we descry Venus standing Vulcan by.