So now is come our joyful feast, Let every man be jolly; Each room with ivy leaves is drest, And every post with holly. Though some churls at our mirth repine, Round your foreheads garlands twine,...
Amarillis I did woo, And I courted Phillis too; Daphne, for her love, I chose; Cloris, for that damask rose In her cheek, I held as dear; Yea, a thousand liked well near....
Two pretty rills do meet, and meeting make Within one valley a large silver lake: About whose banks the fertile mountains stood In ages pass'd bravely crowned with wood,...
Sweet baby, sleep! what ails my dear, What ails my darling thus to cry? Be still, my child, and lend thine ear To hear me sing thy lullaby. My pretty lamb, forbear to weep;...
Did I not know a great man's power and might In spite of innocence can smother right, Colour his villainies to get esteem, And make the honest man the villain seem?...
Her true beauty leaves behind Apprehensions in my mind Of more sweetness than all art Or inventions can impart; Thoughts too deep to be expressed, And too strong to be suppressed.......
Seest thou not, in clearest days, Oft thick fogs cloud Heaven's rays? And that vapours which do breathe From the Earth's gross womb beneath, Seem unto us with black steams...
Ah me! Am I the swain That late from sorrow free Did all the cares on earth disdain? And still untouched, as at some safer games, Played with the burning coals of love, and beauty's flames?...
Lordly gallants! tell me this (Though my safe content you weigh not), In your greatness, what one bliss Have you gained, that I enjoy not? You have honours, you have wealth;...
Now gentle sleep hath clos'd up those eyes, Which waking kept my boldest thoughts in awe, And free access unto that sweet lip lies From whence I long the rosy breath to draw....
Methought his royal person did foretell A kingly stateliness, from all pride clear; His look majestic seem'd to compel All men to love him, rather than to fear. And yet though he were every good man's joy,...
When with a serious musing I behold The grateful and obsequious marigold, How duly every morning she displays Her open breast, when Titan spreads his rays; How she observes him in his daily walk,...