The poems of William Habington Edited with introduction and commentary by Kenneth Allott |
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Against them who lay unchastity to the sex of Women.
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 | The poems of William Habington |  |
79
Against them who lay unchastity to the sex of Women.
They meet but with unwholesome Springs,
And Summers which infectious are:
They heare but when the Meremaid sings,
And onely see the falling starre:
Who ever dare,
Affirme no woman chaste and faire.
And Summers which infectious are:
They heare but when the Meremaid sings,
And onely see the falling starre:
Who ever dare,
Affirme no woman chaste and faire.
Goe cure your feavers: and you'le say
The Dog-dayes scorch not all the yeare:
In Copper Mines no longer stay,
But travell to the West, and there
The right ones see:
And grant all gold's not Alchimie.
The Dog-dayes scorch not all the yeare:
In Copper Mines no longer stay,
But travell to the West, and there
The right ones see:
And grant all gold's not Alchimie.
What mad man 'cause the glow-wormes flame
Is cold, sweares there's no warmth in fire?
'Cause some make forfeit of their name,
And slave themselves to mans desire;
Shall the sex free
From guilt, damn'd to the bondage be?
Is cold, sweares there's no warmth in fire?
'Cause some make forfeit of their name,
And slave themselves to mans desire;
Shall the sex free
From guilt, damn'd to the bondage be?
Nor grieve Castara, though 'twere fraile,
Thy Vertue then would brighter shine,
When thy example should prevaile,
And every womans faith be thine,
And were there none;
'Tis Majesty to rule alone.
Thy Vertue then would brighter shine,
When thy example should prevaile,
And every womans faith be thine,
And were there none;
'Tis Majesty to rule alone.
| The poems of William Habington | |