When some shall say, Fair once my Silvia was, Thou wilt complain, False now's thy looking-glass, Which renders that quite tarnished which was green, And priceless now what peerless once had been....
'See, sir, here's the grand approach, This way is for his Grace's coach: There lies the bridge, and here's the clock, Observe the lion and the cock, The spacious court, the colonnade,...
I have lost, and lately, these Many dainty mistresses: Stately Julia, prime of all; Sapho next, a principal: Smooth Anthea, for a skin White, and heaven-like crystalline:...
What wisdom, learning, wit or worth Youth or sweet nature could bring forth Rests here with him who was the fame, The volume of himself and name. If, reader, then, thou wilt draw near...
So long, it seem'd, as Mary's faith was small, Christ did her woman, not her Mary call; But no more woman, being strong in faith, But Mary call'd then, as St. Ambrose saith.
Of gentle blood, his parents' only treasure, Their lasting sorrow, and their vanish'd pleasure, Adorn'd with features, virtues, wit, and grace, A large provision for so short a race;...
Love is indeed a glorious prize! What fairer guerdon meets our eyes? Though neither wealth nor power are thine, A very hero thou dost shine. As of the prophet, they will tell,...
I send you two kisses Wrapped up in a rhyme; From Love's warm abysses I send you two kisses; If one of them misses Please wait till next time, And I'll send you three kisses...
There were three cavaliers, all handsome and true, On Valentine's day came a maiden to woo, And quoth to your mother: "Good-morrow, my dear, We came with some songs for your daughter to hear!" ...
As a violet's gentle eye Gazes on the azure sky Until its hue grows like what it beholds; As a gray and empty mist Lies like solid amethyst Over the western mountain it enfolds,...
Thus to the Muses spoke the Cyprian Dame, Adorn my altars, and revere my name. My son shall else assume his potent darts; Twang goes the bow; my girls have at your hearts. The Muses answer'd Venus, We deride...
When Cloe's Picture was to Venus shown; Surpriz'd, the Goddess took it for Her own. And what, said She, does this bold Painter mean? When was I Bathing thus, and Naked seen? ...
When first I loved, I gave my very soul Utterly unreserved to Love's control, But Love deceived me, wrenched my youth away And made the gold of life for ever grey. Long I lived lonely, yet I tried in vain...
Verse-making was least of my virtues: I viewed with despair Wealth that never yet was but might be, all that verse-making were If the life would but lengthen to wish, let the mind be laid bare....
The god looked out upon the troubled deep Waked into tumult from its placid sleep; The flame of anger kindles in his eye As the wild waves ascend the lowering sky;...