University of Virginia Library

A Song betweene Syrenus and Syluanus.

Syrenus.
Who hath of Cupids cates and dainties prayed,
May feede his stomack with them at his pleasure:
If in his drinke some ease he hath assayed,
Then let him quench his thirsting without measure:
And if his weapons pleasant in their manner,
Let him embrace his standard and his banner.
For being free from him, and quite exempted:
Ioyfull J am, and proud, and well contented.

Syluanus.
Of Cupids daintie cates who hath not prayed,
May be depriued of them at his pleasure:
If wormewood in his drinke he hath assayed,
Let him not quench his thirsting without measure:
And if his weapons in their cruell manner,
Let him abiure his standard and his banner:
For I not free from him, and not exempted,
Ioyfull I am, and proud, and well contented.

Syrenus.
Loue's so expert in giuing many a trouble,
That now J know not why he should be praised:
He is so false, so changing, and so double,
That with great reason he must be dispraised.
Loue in the end is such a iarring passion,
That none should trust vnto his peeuish fashion,
For of all mischiefe he's the onely Maister:
And to my good a torment and disaster.

Syluanus.
Loue's so expert in giuing ioy, not trouble,
That now I know not but he should be praised:
He is so true, so constant, neuer double,
That in my minde he should not be dispraised.
Loue in the end is such a pleasing passion,
That euery one may trust vnto his fashion.
For of all good he is the onely Maister:
And foe vnto my harmes, and my disaster.

Syrenus.
Not in these sayings to be proou'd a lyer,
He knowes that dooth not loue, nor is beloued
Now nights and dayes J rest, as I desire,
After I had such greefe from me remooued.
And cannot J be glad, since thus estraunged,
My selfe from false Diana I haue chaunged?
Hence, hence, false Loue, I will not entertaine thee:
Since to thy torments thou doo'st seeke to traine me

Syluanus.
Not in these sayings to be proou'd a lyer,
He knowes that loues, and is againe beloued:
Now nights and dayes I rest in sweete desire,
After I had such happy fortune prooued.
And cannot I be glad, since not estraunged,
My selfe into Seluagia I haue chaunged?
Come, come, good Loue, and I will entertaine thee:
Since to thy sweete content thou seek'st to traine me.