A Little Book of Old Time Verse Part 1

A Little Book of Old Time Verse.

by Various.

A LITTLE BOOK OF OLD TIME VERSE

Love's Wantonness

Love guides the roses of thy lips, And flies about them like a bee; If I approach he forward skips, And if I kiss he stingeth me.

Love in thine eyes doth build his bower, And sleeps within their pretty shrine, And if I look the boy will lower, And from their orbs shoot shafts divine.

--_Thomas Lodge_

Song

Send home my long-stray'd eyes to me, Which, O! too long have dwelt on thee: But if from you they've learnt such ill, To sweetly smile, And then beguile, Keep the deceivers, keep them still.

Send home my harmless heart again.

Which no unworthy thought could stain; But if it has been taught by thine To forfeit both Its word and oath, Keep it, for then 'tis none of mine.

--_John Donne, D.D._

Fie on Love

Now fie on foolish love, it not befits Or man or woman know it.

Love was not meant for people in their wits, And they that fondly show it Betray the straw, and features in their brain, And shall have Bedlam for their pain: If simple love be such a curse, To marry is to make it ten times worse.

--_Francis Beaumont_

A Fragment

He that loves a rosy cheek, Or a coral lip admires, Or from star-like eyes doth seek Fuel to maintain his fires; As old Time makes these decay, So his flames must waste away.

But a smooth and steadfast mind, Gentle thoughts and calm desires, Hearts with equal love combined, Kindle never-dying fires; Where these are not, I despise Lovely cheeks, or lips, or eyes.

--_Thomas Carew_

Truce in Love Entreated

No more, blind G.o.d! for see, my heart Is made thy quiver, there remains No void place, for another dart; And, alas! that conquest gains Small praise, that only brings away A tame and unresisting prey.

Behold a n.o.bler foe, all arm'd, Defies thy weak artillery, That hath thy bow and quiver charm'd; A rebel beauty, conquering thee: If thou dar'st equal combat try, Wound her, for 'tis for her I die.

--_Thomas Carew_

Jenny Kissed Me

Jenny kiss'd me when we met, Jumping from the chair she sat in; Time, you thief, who love to get Sweets into your list, put that in!

Say I'm weary, say I'm sad, Say that health and wealth have miss'd me, Say I'm growing old, but add, Jenny kiss'd me.

--_Leigh Hunt_

A Ditty

My true love hath my heart, and I have his, By just exchange one for the other given: I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss, There never was a better bargain driven: My true love hath my heart, and I have his.

His heart in me, keeps him and me in one, My heart in him, his thought and senses guides; He loves my heart, for once it was his own, I cherish his, because in me it bides: My true love hath my heart, and I have his.

--_Sir Phillip Sidney_

To Electra

I dare not ask a kiss; I dare not beg a smile; Lest having that, or this, I might grow proud the while.

No, no, the utmost share Of my desire shall be, Only to kiss that air That lately kissed thee.

--_Robert Herrick_

To Phyllis, the Fair Shepherdess

My Phyllis hath the morning sun At first to look upon her: And Phyllis hath morn-waking birds Her rising still to honour.

My Phyllis hath prime feathered flowers That smile when she treads on them: And Phyllis hath a gallant flock That leaps since she doth own them.

But Phyllis hath too hard a heart, Alas, that she should have it!

It yields no mercy to desert Nor peace to those that crave it.

Sweet Sun, when thou look'st on, Pray her regard my moan!

Sweet birds, when you sing to her.

To yield some pity woo her!

Sweet flowers, that she treads on, Tell her, her beauty dreads one; And if in life her love she'll not agree me.