Bulchevy's Book of English Verse Part 46

savour] savoir, knowing.

George Herbert. 1593-1632

285. The Pulley

WHEN G.o.d at first made Man, Having a gla.s.s of blessings standing by-- Let us (said He) pour on him all we can; Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie, Contract into a span.

So strength first made a way, Then beauty flow'd, then wisdom, honour, pleasure: When almost all was out, G.o.d made a stay, Perceiving that, alone of all His treasure, Rest in the bottom lay.

For if I should (said He) Bestow this jewel also on My creature, He would adore My gifts instead of Me, And rest in Nature, not the G.o.d of Nature: So both should losers be.

Yet let him keep the rest, But keep them with repining restlessness; Let him be rich and weary, that at least, If goodness lead him not, yet weariness May toss him to My breast.

George Herbert. 1593-1632

286. Love

LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in, Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lack'd anything.

'A guest,' I answer'd, 'worthy to be here:'

Love said, 'You shall be he.'

'I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on Thee.'

Love took my hand and smiling did reply, 'Who made the eyes but I?'

'Truth, Lord; but I have marr'd them: let my shame Go where it doth deserve.'

'And know you not,' says Love, 'Who bore the blame?'

'My dear, then I will serve.'

'You must sit down,' says Love, 'and taste my meat.'

So I did sit and eat.

James Shirley. 1596-1666

287. A Hymn

O FLY, my Soul! What hangs upon Thy drooping wings, And weighs them down With love of gaudy mortal things?

The Sun is now i' the east: each shade As he doth rise Is shorter made, That earth may lessen to our eyes.

O be not careless then and play Until the Star of Peace Hide all his beams in dark recess!

Poor pilgrims needs must lose their way, When all the shadows do increase.

James Shirley. 1596-1666

288. Death the Leveller

THE glories of our blood and state Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against Fate; Death lays his icy hand on kings: Sceptre and Crown Must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade.

Some men with swords may reap the field, And plant fresh laurels where they kill: But their strong nerves at last must yield; They tame but one another still: Early or late They stoop to fate, And must give up their murmuring breath When they, pale captives, creep to death.

The garlands wither on your brow, Then boast no more your mighty deeds!

Upon Death's purple altar now See where the victor-victim bleeds.

Your heads must come To the cold tomb: Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.

Thomas Carew. 1595?-1639?

289. Song

ASK me no more where Jove bestows, When June is past, the fading rose; For in your beauty's orient deep These flowers, as in their causes, sleep.

Ask me no more whither do stray The golden atoms of the day; For in pure love heaven did prepare Those powders to enrich your hair.

Ask me no more whither doth haste The nightingale when May is past; For in your sweet dividing throat She winters and keeps warm her note.

Ask me no more where those stars 'light That downwards fall in dead of night; For in your eyes they sit, and there Fixed become as in their sphere.

Ask me no more if east or west The Phoenix builds her spicy nest; For unto you at last she flies, And in your fragrant bosom dies.

Thomas Carew. 1595?-1639?

290. Persuasions to Joy: a Song

IF the quick spirits in your eye Now languish and anon must die; If every sweet and every grace Must fly from that forsaken face; Then, Celia, let us reap our joys Ere Time such goodly fruit destroys.

Or if that golden fleece must grow For ever free from aged snow; If those bright suns must know no shade, Nor your fresh beauties ever fade; Then fear not, Celia, to bestow What, still being gather'd, still must grow.

Thus either Time his sickle brings In vain, or else in vain his wings.

Thomas Carew. 1595?-1639?

291. To His Inconstant Mistress

WHEN thou, poor Excommunicate From all the joys of Love, shalt see The full reward and glorious fate Which my strong faith shall purchase me, Then curse thine own inconstancy!

A fairer hand than thine shall cure That heart which thy false oaths did wound; And to my soul a soul more pure Than thine shall by Love's hand be bound, And both with equal glory crown'd.

Then shalt thou weep, entreat, complain To Love, as I did once to thee; When all thy tears shall be as vain As mine were then: for thou shalt be d.a.m.n'd for thy false apostasy.

Thomas Carew. 1595?-1639?

292. The Unfading Beauty