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University of Virginia Library

Poems &c. By James Shirley

Shirley, James (1596-1666)

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[VVhen th'Age groan'd out Thou and thy Muse were gone]

To his unkind M.

To his Mistris.

To his Mistris confined.

Loves Hue and Cry.

[Would you know what's soft? I dare]

To L. for a wreath of Bayes sent.

To the Painter preparing to draw M. M. H.

To a L. who had courted a Lady of much perfection, and after offered his Service to another of an inferiour Beauty and Parts; in confidence that the first would re-accept him.

A Lover that durst not speak to his M.

To one that said his Mistris was old.

Upon his M. Dancing.

Upon his Mistris sad.

A Gentleman in Love with two Ladies.

Melancholy converted.

To a Mistris in whose Letter some Tears were dropt.

Presenting his Mistris with a Bird.

Upon Scarlet and blush coloured Ribbands given by two Ladies.

To his Mistris upon the Bayes withered.

Strephon, Daphne.

Taking leave when his Mistris was to ride.

Love for Enjoying.

Upon the Princes Birth.

To his honoured friend Tho. Stanley Esquire, upon his elegant Poems.

To the E. of S. upon his recovery.

One that loved none but deformed Women.

The Common-Wealth of Birds.

To the Excellent Pattern of Beauty and Vertue, L. El. Co. of Or.

To the H. Lady, D. C. at his departure.

A Letter to the Lady D. S. sent with a New Comedy.

To the never enough Honoured E. of St. on New-yeares day at night, after other entertainment.

To M. Phil. Massenger on his Renegado.

To a L. upon a Looking-Glasse sent.

A Song in a Play called Hide-Parke.

A Mother hearing her child was sick of the Small-Poxe.

Epithalamium. To his Noble Friend, Mr. I. W.

On a black Ribband.

To Gent. that broke their promise of a meeting, made when they drank Claret.

Upon a Gentlewoman that died of a Fever.

Upon the death of G. M.

Upon the death of K. James.

Vpon the death of Sr. Th. Nevill.

An Elegie upon the honourable, fair, and vertuous M. Borlase.

Upon the Death of C. D. Engineere, who died upon service to which he had no command.

Epitaph On the Duke of BUCKINGHAM.

An Elegie upon the truly Honourable Tho. Viscount Savage

Vpon Mr. Charles Beaumont who died of a Consumption.

The Passing Bell.

To the proud M.

Cupid ungodded.

To a Beautiful Lady.

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Upon Scarlet and blush coloured Ribbands given by two Ladies.

Let other servants boast a snowy glove,
Or glory in their Mistris hair,
Or think they straight immortal prove
If they once obtain to wear
A Ring enamell'd, by her finger blest,
Wherein the Rainbow is exprest,
In whose circle Cupid dwelling,
Doth offer a sweet Poesie to their smelling.

Not all the orient beauties that embrace
Fair Venus neck, nay grant that she
Daigne to disfurnish her own face,
And bestow her Mole on me:
Not this, nor those are half so rich, so fair
As these two silken Ribbands are;
Favours Juno might have given
The Graces, on her wedding day in heaven.

Mysterious Colours! carrying more then show,
For you expresse in your rich dye
Rare vertues, which the givers owe,
Constant love, and modesty:

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To which when I prove false, my blood be curst,
To satisfie the injur'd first:
Shame be next reward, and then
I forfeit Blush, and Scarlet back agen.