Part 34 (1/2)
Ye silent shades, whose each tree here Some relique of a saint doth wear, Who, for some sweetheart's sake, did prove The fire and martyrdom of love: Here is the legend of those saints That died for love, and their complaints: Their wounded hearts and names we find Encarv'd upon the leaves and rind.
Give way, give way to me, who come Scorch'd with the self-same martyrdom: And have deserv'd as much (love knows) As to be canonis'd 'mongst those Whose deeds and deaths here written are Within your greeny calendar: By all those virgins' fillets hung Upon your boughs, and requiems sung For saints and souls departed hence (Here honour'd still with frankincense); By all those tears that have been shed, As a drink-offering to the dead; By all those true love-knots that be With mottoes carv'd on every tree; By sweet Saint Phyllis pity me: By dear Saint Iphis, and the rest Of all those other saints now blest, Me, me, forsaken, here admit Among your myrtles to be writ: That my poor name may have the glory To live remembered in your story.
_Phyllis_, the Thracian princess who hanged herself for love of Demophoon.
_Iphis_, a Cyprian youth who hanged himself for love of Anaxaretes.
450. AN EPITAPH UPON A VIRGIN.
Here a solemn fast we keep, While all beauty lies asleep Hush'd be all things--no noise here-- But the toning of a tear: Or a sigh of such as bring Cowslips for her covering.
451. TO THE RIGHT GRACIOUS PRINCE, LODOWICK, DUKE OF RICHMOND AND LENNOX.
Of all those three brave brothers fall'n i' th' war (Not without glory), n.o.ble sir, you are, Despite of all concussions, left the stem To shoot forth generations like to them.
Which may be done, if, sir, you can beget Men in their substance, not in counterfeit, Such essences as those three brothers; known Eternal by their own production.
Of whom, from fame's white trumpet, this I'll tell, Worthy their everlasting chronicle: Never since first Bellona us'd a s.h.i.+eld, _Such three brave brothers fell in Mars his field_.
These were those three Horatii Rome did boast, Rome's were these three Horatii we have lost.
One Cur-de-Lion had that age long since; This, three; which three, you make up four, brave prince.
452. TO JEALOUSY.
O jealousy, that art The canker of the heart; And mak'st all h.e.l.l Where thou do'st dwell; For pity be No fury, or no firebrand to me.
Far from me I'll remove All thoughts of irksome love: And turn to snow, Or crystal grow, To keep still free, O! soul-tormenting jealousy, from thee.
453. TO LIVE FREELY.
Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may; Could life return, 'twould never lose a day.
455. HIS ALMS.
Here, here I live, And somewhat give Of what I have To those who crave, Little or much, My alms is such; But if my deal Of oil and meal Shall fuller grow, More I'll bestow; Meantime be it E'en but a bit, Or else a crumb, The scrip hath some.
_Deal_, portion.
456. UPON HIMSELF.
Come, leave this loathed country life, and then Grow up to be a Roman citizen.
Those mites of time, which yet remain unspent, Waste thou in that most civil government.
Get their comportment and the gliding tongue Of those mild men thou art to live among; Then, being seated in that smoother sphere, Decree thy everlasting topic there; And to the farm-house ne'er return at all: Though granges do not love thee, cities shall.
457. TO ENJOY THE TIME.
While Fates permit us let's be merry, Pa.s.s all we must the fatal ferry; And this our life too whirls away With the rotation of the day.
458. UPON LOVE.
Love, I have broke Thy yoke, The neck is free; But when I'm next Love-vexed, Then shackle me.