The Hesperides & Noble Numbers Part 75

Ask me what hunger is, and I'll reply, 'Tis but a fierce desire of hot and dry.

932. BAD WAGES FOR GOOD SERVICE.

In this misfortune kings do most excel, To hear the worst from men when they do well.

933. THE END.

Conquer we shall, but we must first contend; _'Tis not the fight that crowns us, but the end_.

934. THE BONDMAN.

Bind me but to thee with thine hair, And quickly I shall be Made by that fetter or that snare A bondman unto thee.

Or if thou tak'st that bond away, Then bore me through the ear, And by the law I ought to stay For ever with thee here.

935. CHOOSE FOR THE BEST.

Give house-room to the best; _'tis never known Virtue and pleasure both to dwell in one_.

936. TO SILVIA.

Pardon my trespa.s.s, Silvia; I confess My kiss out-went the bounds of shamefastness: None is discreet at all times; no, _not Jove Himself, at one time, can be wise and love_.

937. FAIR SHOWS DECEIVE.

Smooth was the sea, and seem'd to call Two pretty girls to play withal: Who paddling there, the sea soon frown'd, And on a sudden both were drown'd.

What credit can we give to seas, Who, kissing, kill such saints as these?

938. HIS WISH.

Fat be my hind; unlearned be my wife; Peaceful my night; my day devoid of strife: To these a comely offspring I desire, Singing about my everlasting fire.

_Hind_, country servant.

939. UPON JULIA WASHING HERSELF IN THE RIVER.

How fierce was I, when I did see My Julia wash herself in thee!

So lilies thorough crystal look: So purest pebbles in the brook: As in the river Julia did, Half with a lawn of water hid.

Into thy streams myself I threw, And struggling there, I kiss'd thee too; And more had done, it is confess'd, Had not thy waves forbade the rest.

940. A MEAN IN OUR MEANS.

Though frankincense the deities require, _We must not give all to the hallowed fire_.

Such be our gifts, and such be our expense, As for ourselves to leave some frankincense.

941. UPON CLUNN.

A roll of parchment Clunn about him bears, Charg'd with the arms of all his ancestors: And seems half ravish'd, when he looks upon That bar, this bend; that fess, this cheveron; This manch, that moon; this martlet, and that mound; This counterchange of pearl and diamond.

What joy can Clunn have in that coat, or this, Whenas his own still out at elbows is?

942. UPON CUPID.

Love, like a beggar, came to me With hose and doublet torn: His shirt bedangling from his knee, With hat and shoes outworn.

He ask'd an alms; I gave him bread, And meat too, for his need: Of which, when he had fully fed, He wished me all good speed.

Away he went, but as he turn'd (In faith I know not how) He touch'd me so, as that I burn['d], And am tormented now.

Love's silent flames and fires obscure Then crept into my heart; And though I saw no bow, I'm sure His finger was the dart.

946. AN HYMN TO LOVE.

I will confess With cheerfulness, Love is a thing so likes me, That let her lay On me all day, I'll kiss the hand that strikes me.

I will not, I, Now blubb'ring, cry, It, ah! too late repents me, That I did fall To love at all, Since love so much contents me.

No, no, I'll be In fetters free: While others they sit wringing Their hands for pain, I'll entertain The wounds of love with singing.

With flowers and wine, And cakes divine, To strike me I will tempt thee: Which done; no more I'll come before Thee and thine altars empty.

947. TO HIS HONOURED AND MOST INGENIOUS FRIEND, MR. CHARLES COTTON.

For brave comportment, wit without offence, Words fully flowing, yet of influence: Thou art that man of men, the man alone, Worthy the public admiration: Who with thine own eyes read'st what we do write, And giv'st our numbers euphony and weight; Tell'st when a verse springs high, how understood To be, or not, born of the royal blood.

What state above, what symmetry below, Lines have, or should have, thou the best can'st show.

For which, my Charles, it is my pride to be Not so much known, as to be lov'd of thee.

Long may I live so, and my wreath of bays Be less another's laurel than thy praise.

948. WOMEN USELESS.

What need we marry women, when Without their use we may have men, And such as will in short time be For murder fit, or mutiny?

As Cadmus once a new way found, By throwing teeth into the ground; From which poor seed, and rudely sown, Sprung up a war-like nation: So let us iron, silver, gold, Bra.s.s, lead, or tin throw into th' mould; And we shall see in little s.p.a.ce Rise up of men a fighting race.

If this can be, say then, what need Have we of women or their seed?

949. LOVE IS A SYRUP.