A royal arbor (1663) :: :: University of Virginia Library

Your Love if vertuous will shew forth
Some fruits of Devotion,
There's no Religion can warrant
A dishonest motion;
Would you entice me to give you respect,
You would not seek then my honour to infect
With poisoned potions:
If I ever did affect you,
'Twas in honour, but in ill ends
I must needs neglect you.

2

That fort is feeble that words can subdue
With their battery,
'Tis better stop our ears, then set them
Open to flattery;
Shall I count that true which cannot be just,
Your sighs and sad silence I may not trust
With eyes so watry:
Take a Lover from a passion,
Like an image out of date
He stands quite out of fashion.

The Reply, by the Authour.

1

My Love's as vertuous as yours is
Where you frame affection,
For so inflamed Religion
You keep in subjection,
I cannot tempt ye to give me respect,
'Tis not the crime but the man you reject
With words so zealous:
This same trifle call'd Honour
Is a pretty witty cover
To conceal a Lover.

2

What need a batt'ry be,
When as the fort is resigning,
You will ne're stop your ear
At your own servants repining;
Where we affect we do never mistrust,
If you would spell Love, and chance to write Lust
No interlining:
Take a Lady in the humour,
When the Love-fit is upon her,
She'l ne're think of Honour,

The Courtier.

1

Be not afraid
Thou rarest

The fairest
That ever was Maid,
Deny me not a kiss,
No man shall see
The measure
Of pleasure
That I have from thee,
What hurt is there in this?

Then let's embrace, let all pleasures be free,
The world shall ne're have knowledge
How delightful we be.

2

I know that spyes
Both creeping and peeping
In each corner lyes
To hinder all our joy;
Cupid shall see,
And finde 'em to blinde 'em
That hinderance be
To the getting of a boy.

Then let's embrace, &c.

3

Venus invites,
Fair Creature, Dame Nature
Made you for delights,
But yet to none but I;
Then I'le embrace,
And rifle a trifle,
Leave a jewel i'th' place,
You'l keep until you dye.

Then let's embrace, &c.

The Ladies Answer.

1

Nay pish, nay fie
You venter to enter
A trespass so high,
You'l wish it were undone;
Should any spy,
They'd wonder, look yonder,
I see you'l not flye
The chase you have begun:

Since then y'ave won me,
And all things are free;
I saith you will undo me,
If a tell-tale you be.

2

Now y'have enjoy'd
That measure of pleasure,
Indeed I'm destroy'd,
If I hear of it agen;
Women do prove
Neglected, rejected,
When freedom of Love
Is told to other men:

Since then, &c.

3

Ah take my heart,
I'le ever endeavour
That we never part

'Till death assign the time;
Wer't not to you,
Believe me 'twould grieve me
To do what I do:
O that Love should prove a crime,
Yet 'tis a fault
Of so sweet a degree,
I surely am perswaded,
Court nor Countrey goes free.