 | Poems &c. By James Shirley |  |
52
On a black Ribband.
Though Love, and Honour take a pride to dresse
Their servants in these silken liveries,
But choose the colours alwaies gay, and bright,
Excluding black, as the dark child of night,
(Which constant to its own complexion, knows
Not how to blush, nor one Indulgence owes
Either to Beauty, or the gift of Kings,
This Jealousie, and that vexation brings)
Give me the black embracement on my arme,
Which like a potent Amulet, or Charme,
Shall countermand all Magick, and defie
The smiles of love, and snares of Majesty.
Of this, I'le be more proud, then when the fair
Odelia once gave me her wreath of hair,
Wherin, her fingers taught by love, had wrought
A Net, to catch, and hold each subtle thought.
This mourning bracelet is to me above
All Ribbands, which the Robinhoods of love
Are trickt withall, who but present at Court
Which are the Race-nags for the Ladies sport.
Their servants in these silken liveries,
But choose the colours alwaies gay, and bright,
Excluding black, as the dark child of night,
(Which constant to its own complexion, knows
Not how to blush, nor one Indulgence owes
Either to Beauty, or the gift of Kings,
This Jealousie, and that vexation brings)
Give me the black embracement on my arme,
Which like a potent Amulet, or Charme,
Shall countermand all Magick, and defie
The smiles of love, and snares of Majesty.
Of this, I'le be more proud, then when the fair
Odelia once gave me her wreath of hair,
Wherin, her fingers taught by love, had wrought
A Net, to catch, and hold each subtle thought.
This mourning bracelet is to me above
All Ribbands, which the Robinhoods of love
Are trickt withall, who but present at Court
Which are the Race-nags for the Ladies sport.
Give me that sable Ornament, that may
Vye honour with the Nova Scotia:
Or Crimson Bath; and still reserv'd to'th' King
My reverence, who is the soul, and spring
Of English Honour, for the Garters sake,
I should not mourn, although the blue were black,
And 'tis within his brest, when Charles will please
To create one of black, to outshine these,
For what bold Antiquaries will deny,
Of Colours, Sable the first Heraldry?
Vye honour with the Nova Scotia:
53
My reverence, who is the soul, and spring
Of English Honour, for the Garters sake,
I should not mourn, although the blue were black,
And 'tis within his brest, when Charles will please
To create one of black, to outshine these,
For what bold Antiquaries will deny,
Of Colours, Sable the first Heraldry?
All Orders have their growth, and this, when sent
To me, had somthing that was glorious meant,
From One, whose blood writes noble, but his mind
And souls extraction leave that stream behind:
And this who knowes in calmer time may thrive,
And grow into a Name, if Arts survive?
To me, had somthing that was glorious meant,
From One, whose blood writes noble, but his mind
And souls extraction leave that stream behind:
And this who knowes in calmer time may thrive,
And grow into a Name, if Arts survive?
Till when, to this black Arme-let, it shall be
My Honour to be call'd a Votary.
My Honour to be call'd a Votary.
| Poems &c. By James Shirley | |