The Works of Thomas Campion Complete Songs, Masques, and Treatises with a Selection of the Latin Verse: Edited with an introduction and notes by Walter R. Davis |
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 | DOUBTFUL POEMS |
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 | The Works of Thomas Campion |  |
445
DOUBTFUL POEMS
449
A BOOKE OF AYRES, PART II
450
I.
[Sweete, come againe]
Sweete, come againe;
Your happie sight, so much desir'd,
Since you from hence are now retir'd,
I seeke in vaine.
Stil must I mourn
And pine in longing paine,
Till you, my lives delight, againe
Vouchsafe your wisht returne.
Your happie sight, so much desir'd,
Since you from hence are now retir'd,
I seeke in vaine.
Stil must I mourn
And pine in longing paine,
Till you, my lives delight, againe
Vouchsafe your wisht returne.
If true desire,
Or faithfull vow of endles love,
Thy heart enflam'd may kindly move
With equall fire;
O then my joies,
So long destraught, shall rest,
Reposed soft in thy chast brest,
Exempt from all annoies.
Or faithfull vow of endles love,
Thy heart enflam'd may kindly move
With equall fire;
O then my joies,
So long destraught, shall rest,
Reposed soft in thy chast brest,
Exempt from all annoies.
You had the power
My wandring thoughts first to restraine,
You first did heare my love speake plaine,
A child before:
Now it is growne
Confirm'd, do you it keepe,
And let it safe in your bosome sleepe,
There ever made your owne.
My wandring thoughts first to restraine,
You first did heare my love speake plaine,
A child before:
Now it is growne
Confirm'd, do you it keepe,
And let it safe in your bosome sleepe,
There ever made your owne.
And till we meete,
Teach absence inward art to find,
Both to disturbe and please the mind.
Such thoughts are sweete,
And such remaine
In hearts whose flames are true;
Then such will I retaine, till you
To me returne againe.
Teach absence inward art to find,
Both to disturbe and please the mind.
Such thoughts are sweete,
And such remaine
In hearts whose flames are true;
Then such will I retaine, till you
To me returne againe.
451
II.
[And would you see my Mistris face?]
And would you see my Mistris face?
it is a flowrie garden place,
Where knots of beauties have such grace
that all is worke and nowhere space.
it is a flowrie garden place,
Where knots of beauties have such grace
that all is worke and nowhere space.
It is a sweete delicious morne,
where day is breeding, never borne,
It is a Meadow yet unshorne,
whome thousand flowers do adorne.
where day is breeding, never borne,
It is a Meadow yet unshorne,
whome thousand flowers do adorne.
It is the heavens bright reflexe,
weake eies to dazle and to vexe,
It is th'Idaea of her sexe,
envie of whome doth world perplexe.
weake eies to dazle and to vexe,
It is th'Idaea of her sexe,
envie of whome doth world perplexe.
It is a face of death that smiles,
pleasing, though it killes the whiles,
Where death and love in pretie wiles
each other mutuallie beguiles.
pleasing, though it killes the whiles,
Where death and love in pretie wiles
each other mutuallie beguiles.
It is faire beauties freshest youth,
it is the fain'd Eliziums truth:
The spring that winter'd harts renu'th;
and this is that my soule pursu'th.
it is the fain'd Eliziums truth:
The spring that winter'd harts renu'th;
and this is that my soule pursu'th.
III.
[No grave for woe, yet earth my watrie teares devoures]
No grave for woe, yet earth my watrie teares devoures;
Sighes want ayre, and burnt desires kind pitties showres:
Stars hold their fatal course, my joies preventing:
The earth, the sea, the aire, the fire, the heav'ns vow my tormenting.
Sighes want ayre, and burnt desires kind pitties showres:
Stars hold their fatal course, my joies preventing:
The earth, the sea, the aire, the fire, the heav'ns vow my tormenting.
452
Yet still I live, and waste my wearie daies in grones,
And with wofull tunes adorne dispayring mones.
Night still prepares a more displeasing morrow;
My day is night, my life my death, and all but sence of sorrow.
And with wofull tunes adorne dispayring mones.
Night still prepares a more displeasing morrow;
My day is night, my life my death, and all but sence of sorrow.
IV.
[If I urge my kinde desires]
If I urge my kinde desires,
She unkind doth them reject;
Womens hearts are painted fires
To deceive them that affect.
I alone loves fires include,
Shee alone doth them delude.
She unkind doth them reject;
Womens hearts are painted fires
To deceive them that affect.
I alone loves fires include,
Shee alone doth them delude.
Shee hath often vow'd her love,
But, alas, no fruit I finde.
That her fires are false I prove,
Yet in her no fault I finde:
I was thus unhappy borne,
And ordain'd to be her scorne.
But, alas, no fruit I finde.
That her fires are false I prove,
Yet in her no fault I finde:
I was thus unhappy borne,
And ordain'd to be her scorne.
Yet if humane care, or paine,
May the heav'nly order change,
She will hate her owne disdaine,
And repent she was so strange:
For a truer heart then I
Never liv'd, or lov'd to die.
May the heav'nly order change,
She will hate her owne disdaine,
And repent she was so strange:
For a truer heart then I
Never liv'd, or lov'd to die.
V.
[What harts content can he finde]
What harts content can he finde,
What happy sleepes can his eies embrace,
That beares a guiltie minde?
His tast sweet wines wil abhorre:
No musicks sounde can appease the thoughts
That wicked deeds deplore.
The passion of a present feare
Stil makes his restles motion there;
And all the day hee dreads the night,
And all the night, as one agast, hee feares the morning light
What happy sleepes can his eies embrace,
That beares a guiltie minde?
His tast sweet wines wil abhorre:
No musicks sounde can appease the thoughts
That wicked deeds deplore.
The passion of a present feare
Stil makes his restles motion there;
And all the day hee dreads the night,
And all the night, as one agast, hee feares the morning light
453
But he that loves to be lov'd,
And in his deedes doth adore heavens power,
And is with pitie mov'd;
The night gives rest to his heart,
The cheerefull beames do awake his soule,
Revived in everie part.
He lives a comfort to his friendes,
And heaven to him such blessing sendes
That feare of hell cannot dismaie
His stedfast hart that is enurd the truth still to obey
And in his deedes doth adore heavens power,
And is with pitie mov'd;
The night gives rest to his heart,
The cheerefull beames do awake his soule,
Revived in everie part.
He lives a comfort to his friendes,
And heaven to him such blessing sendes
That feare of hell cannot dismaie
His stedfast hart that is enurd the truth still to obey
VI.
[Let him that will be free and keep his hart from care]
Let him that will be free and keep his hart from care,
Retir'd alone, remaine where no discomforts are.
For when the eie doth view his griefe, or haplesse eare his sorrow heares,
Th'impression still in him abides, and ever in one shape appeares.
Retir'd alone, remaine where no discomforts are.
For when the eie doth view his griefe, or haplesse eare his sorrow heares,
Th'impression still in him abides, and ever in one shape appeares.
Forget thy griefes betimes; long sorrow breedes long paine,
For joie, farre fled from men, will not returne againe;
O happie is the soule which heaven ordained to live in endles peace:
His life is a pleasing dreame, and everie houre his joyes encrease.
For joie, farre fled from men, will not returne againe;
O happie is the soule which heaven ordained to live in endles peace:
His life is a pleasing dreame, and everie houre his joyes encrease.
You heavie sprites, that love in sever'd shades to dwell,
That nurse despaire, and dreame of unrelenting hell,
Come sing this happie song, and learne of me the Arte of true content,
Loade not your guiltie soules with wrong, and heaven then will soone relent.
That nurse despaire, and dreame of unrelenting hell,
Come sing this happie song, and learne of me the Arte of true content,
Loade not your guiltie soules with wrong, and heaven then will soone relent.
VII.
[Reprove not love, though fondly thou hast lost]
Reprove not love, though fondly thou hast lost
Greater hopes by loving:
Love calms ambicious spirits, from their brests
Danger oft removing:
Let lofty humors mount up on high,
Down againe like to the wind,
While privat thoughts, vow'd to love,
More peace and pleasure find.
Greater hopes by loving:
Love calms ambicious spirits, from their brests
Danger oft removing:
Let lofty humors mount up on high,
Down againe like to the wind,
454
More peace and pleasure find.
Love and sweete beautie makes the stubborne milde,
And the coward fearelesse,
The wretched misers care to bountie turnes,
Cheering all thinges cheerelesse;
Love chaines the earth and heaven,
Turnes the Spheares, guides the yeares in endles peace;
The flourie earth through his power
Receiv's her due encrease.
And the coward fearelesse,
The wretched misers care to bountie turnes,
Cheering all thinges cheerelesse;
Love chaines the earth and heaven,
Turnes the Spheares, guides the yeares in endles peace;
The flourie earth through his power
Receiv's her due encrease.
VIII.
[And would you faine the reason know]
And would you faine the reason know
why my sad eies so often flow?
My heart ebs joy when they doe so,
and loves the moone by whom they go.
why my sad eies so often flow?
My heart ebs joy when they doe so,
and loves the moone by whom they go.
And will you aske why pale I looke?
tis not with poring on my booke:
My Mistris cheeke my bloud hath tooke,
for her mine owne hath me forsooke.
tis not with poring on my booke:
My Mistris cheeke my bloud hath tooke,
for her mine owne hath me forsooke.
Doe not demaund why I am mute:
loves silence doth all speech confute.
They set the noat, then tune the Lute,
harts frame their thoughts, then toongs their suit.
loves silence doth all speech confute.
They set the noat, then tune the Lute,
harts frame their thoughts, then toongs their suit.
Doe not admire why I admire:
my fever is no others fire;
Each severall heart hath his desire,
els proofe is false, and truth a lier.
my fever is no others fire;
Each severall heart hath his desire,
els proofe is false, and truth a lier.
If why I love you should see cause:
love should have forme like other lawes;
But fancie pleads not by the clawes,
tis as the sea, still vext with flawes.
love should have forme like other lawes;
But fancie pleads not by the clawes,
tis as the sea, still vext with flawes.
No fault upon my love espie,
for you perceive not with my eie;
My pallate to your tast may lie,
yet please it selfe deliciously.
for you perceive not with my eie;
My pallate to your tast may lie,
yet please it selfe deliciously.
455
Then let my sufferance be mine owne:
sufficeth it these reasons showne;
Reason and love are ever knowne
to fight till both be overthrowne.
sufficeth it these reasons showne;
Reason and love are ever knowne
to fight till both be overthrowne.
IX.
[When Laura smiles her sight revives both night and day]
When Laura smiles her sight revives both night and day,
The earth and heaven viewes with delight her wanton play,
And her speech with ever-flowing musicke doth repaire
The cruell wounds of sorrow and untam'd despaire.
The earth and heaven viewes with delight her wanton play,
And her speech with ever-flowing musicke doth repaire
The cruell wounds of sorrow and untam'd despaire.
The sprites that remaine in fleeting aire
Affect for pastime to untwine her tressed haire,
And the birds thinke sweete Aurora, mornings Queene, doth shine
From her bright sphere, when Laura shewes her lookes devine.
Affect for pastime to untwine her tressed haire,
And the birds thinke sweete Aurora, mornings Queene, doth shine
From her bright sphere, when Laura shewes her lookes devine.
Dianas eyes are not adorn'd with greater power
Then Lauras, when she lists awhile for sport to loure:
But when she her eyes encloseth, blindnes doth appeare
The chiefest grace of beautie, sweetlie seated there.
Then Lauras, when she lists awhile for sport to loure:
But when she her eyes encloseth, blindnes doth appeare
The chiefest grace of beautie, sweetlie seated there.
Love hath no fire but what he steales from her bright eyes,
Time hath no power but that which in her pleasure lyes:
For she with her devine beauties all the world subdues,
And fils with heav'nly spirits my humble muse.
Time hath no power but that which in her pleasure lyes:
For she with her devine beauties all the world subdues,
And fils with heav'nly spirits my humble muse.
X.
[Long have mine eies gaz'd with delight]
Long have mine eies gaz'd with delight,
Conveying hopes unto my soule;
In nothing happy, but in sight
Of her, that doth my sight controule:
But now mine eies must loose their light.
Conveying hopes unto my soule;
In nothing happy, but in sight
Of her, that doth my sight controule:
But now mine eies must loose their light.
My object now must be the aire,
To write in water words of fire,
And teach sad thoughts how to despaire:
Desert must quarrell with desire.
All were appeas'd were she not faire.
To write in water words of fire,
And teach sad thoughts how to despaire:
Desert must quarrell with desire.
All were appeas'd were she not faire.
456
For all my comfort, this I prove,
That Venus on the Sea was borne:
If Seas be calme, then doth she love,
If stormes arise, I am forlorne:
My doubtfull hopes like wind doe move.
That Venus on the Sea was borne:
If Seas be calme, then doth she love,
If stormes arise, I am forlorne:
My doubtfull hopes like wind doe move.
XI.
[Though far from joy, my sorrowes are as far]
Though far from joy, my sorrowes are as far,
And I both betweene:
Not too low, nor yet too high
Above my reach, would I bee seene.
Happy is he that so is placed,
Not to be envi'd, nor to bee disdain'd or disgraced.
And I both betweene:
Not too low, nor yet too high
Above my reach, would I bee seene.
Happy is he that so is placed,
Not to be envi'd, nor to bee disdain'd or disgraced.
The higher trees, the more stormes they endure,
Shrubs be troden downe:
But the meane, the golden meane,
Doth onely all our fortunes crowne:
Like to a streame that sweetely slideth
Through the flourie banks, and still in the midst his course guideth.
Shrubs be troden downe:
But the meane, the golden meane,
Doth onely all our fortunes crowne:
Like to a streame that sweetely slideth
Through the flourie banks, and still in the midst his course guideth.
XII.
[Shal I come, if I swim? wide are the waves, you see]
Shal I come, if I swim? wide are the waves, you see:
Shall I come, if I flie, my deere love, to thee?
Streames Venus will appease, Cupid gives me winges:
All the powers assist my desire
Save you alone, that set my wofull heart on fire.
Shall I come, if I flie, my deere love, to thee?
Streames Venus will appease, Cupid gives me winges:
All the powers assist my desire
Save you alone, that set my wofull heart on fire.
You are faire; so was Hero that in Sestos dwelt;
She a priest, yet the heate of love truly felt.
A greater streame then this did her love devide,
But she was his guide with a light:
So through the streames Leander did enjoy her sight.
She a priest, yet the heate of love truly felt.
A greater streame then this did her love devide,
But she was his guide with a light:
So through the streames Leander did enjoy her sight.
457
XIII.
[Aye me, that love should natures workes accuse!]
Aye me, that love should natures workes accuse!
Where cruell Laura still her beautie viewes,
River, or cloudie jet, or christall bright,
Are all but servants of her selfe-delight.
Where cruell Laura still her beautie viewes,
River, or cloudie jet, or christall bright,
Are all but servants of her selfe-delight.
Yet her deformed thoughts she cannot see,
And thats the cause she is so sterne to mee.
Vertue and duetie can no favour gaine:
O griefe, a death, to live and love in vaine!
And thats the cause she is so sterne to mee.
Vertue and duetie can no favour gaine:
O griefe, a death, to live and love in vaine!
XIV.
[Shall then a traiterous kis or a smile]
Shall then a traiterous kis or a smile
All my delights unhappily beguile?
Shall the vow of fayned love receive so ritch regard,
When true service dies neglected, and wants his due reward?
All my delights unhappily beguile?
Shall the vow of fayned love receive so ritch regard,
When true service dies neglected, and wants his due reward?
Deedes meritorious soone be forgot,
But one offence no time can ever blot;
Every day it is renu'd, and every night it bleedes,
And with bloudy streames of sorrow drownes all our better deedes.
But one offence no time can ever blot;
Every day it is renu'd, and every night it bleedes,
And with bloudy streames of sorrow drownes all our better deedes.
Beautie is not by desert to be woon,
Fortune hath all that is beneath the Sunne;
Fortune is the guide of love, and both of them be blind:
All their waies are full of errors, which no true feete can find.
Fortune hath all that is beneath the Sunne;
Fortune is the guide of love, and both of them be blind:
All their waies are full of errors, which no true feete can find.
XV.
[If I hope, I pine; if I feare, I faint and die]
If I hope, I pine; if I feare, I faint and die;
So betweene hope and feare I desp'rat lie,
Looking for joy to heaven, whence it should come:
But hope is blinde, joy deafe, and I am dumbe.
So betweene hope and feare I desp'rat lie,
Looking for joy to heaven, whence it should come:
But hope is blinde, joy deafe, and I am dumbe.
458
Yet I speake and crie, but alas with words of wo;
And joy conceives not them that murmure so.
He that the eares of joy will ever pearse
Must sing glad noates, or speake in happier verse.
And joy conceives not them that murmure so.
He that the eares of joy will ever pearse
Must sing glad noates, or speake in happier verse.
XVI.
[Unlesse there were consent twixt hell and heaven]
Unlesse there were consent twixt hell and heaven
That grace and wickednes should be combind,
I cannot make thee and thy beauties even;
Thy face is heaven, and torture in thy minde:
For more then worldly blisse is in thy eie,
And hellish torture in thy minde doth lie.
That grace and wickednes should be combind,
I cannot make thee and thy beauties even;
Thy face is heaven, and torture in thy minde:
For more then worldly blisse is in thy eie,
And hellish torture in thy minde doth lie.
A thousand Cherubins flie in her lookes,
And hearts in legions melt upon their view:
But gorgeous covers wall up filthie bookes;
Be it sinne to saie, that so your eyes do you:
But sure your mind adheres not with your eies,
For what they promise, that your heart denies.
And hearts in legions melt upon their view:
But gorgeous covers wall up filthie bookes;
Be it sinne to saie, that so your eyes do you:
But sure your mind adheres not with your eies,
For what they promise, that your heart denies.
But O, least I religion should misuse,
Inspire me thou, that ought'st thy selfe to know,
Since skillesse readers reading do abuse,
What inward meaning outward sence doth show:
For by thy eies and heart, chose and contem'd,
I waver, whether saved or condemn'd.
Inspire me thou, that ought'st thy selfe to know,
Since skillesse readers reading do abuse,
What inward meaning outward sence doth show:
For by thy eies and heart, chose and contem'd,
I waver, whether saved or condemn'd.
XVII.
[If she forsake me, I must die]
If she forsake me, I must die:
Shall I tell her so?
Alas, then strait she will replie,
No, no, no, no, no.
If I disclose my desp'rat state,
She will but make sport thereat,
And more unrelenting grow.
Shall I tell her so?
Alas, then strait she will replie,
No, no, no, no, no.
If I disclose my desp'rat state,
She will but make sport thereat,
And more unrelenting grow.
459
What heart can long such paines abide?
Fie uppon this love.
I would adventure farre and wide,
If it would remove.
But love will still my steppes pursue,
I cannot his wayes eschew:
Thus still helpeles hopes I prove.
Fie uppon this love.
I would adventure farre and wide,
If it would remove.
But love will still my steppes pursue,
I cannot his wayes eschew:
Thus still helpeles hopes I prove.
I doe my love in lines commend,
But, alas, in vaine;
The costly gifts that I doe send
She returnes againe:
Thus still is my despaire procur'd,
And her malice more assur'd:
Then come, death, and end my paine.
But, alas, in vaine;
The costly gifts that I doe send
She returnes againe:
Thus still is my despaire procur'd,
And her malice more assur'd:
Then come, death, and end my paine.
XVIII.
[What is a day, what is a yeere]
What is a day, what is a yeere
Of vaine delight and pleasure?
Like to a dreame it endlesse dies,
And from us like a vapour flies:
And this is all the fruit that we finde,
Which glorie in worldly treasure.
Of vaine delight and pleasure?
Like to a dreame it endlesse dies,
And from us like a vapour flies:
And this is all the fruit that we finde,
Which glorie in worldly treasure.
He that will hope for true delight
With vertue must be graced;
Sweet follie yeelds a bitter tast,
Which ever will appeare at last:
But if we still in vertue delight,
Our soules are in heaven placed.
With vertue must be graced;
Sweet follie yeelds a bitter tast,
Which ever will appeare at last:
But if we still in vertue delight,
Our soules are in heaven placed.
XIX.
[Kinde in unkindnesse, when will you relent]
Kinde in unkindnesse, when will you relent
And cease with faint love true love to torment?
Still entertain'd, excluded still I stand,
Her glove stil holde, but cannot touch the hand.
And cease with faint love true love to torment?
Still entertain'd, excluded still I stand,
Her glove stil holde, but cannot touch the hand.
460
In her faire hand my hopes and comforts rest:
O might my fortunes with that hand be blest,
No envious breaths then my deserts could shake,
For they are good whom such true love doth make.
O might my fortunes with that hand be blest,
No envious breaths then my deserts could shake,
For they are good whom such true love doth make.
O let not beautie so forget her birth
That it should fruitles home returne to earth:
Love is the fruite of beautie, then love one;
Not your sweete selfe, for such selfe love is none.
That it should fruitles home returne to earth:
Love is the fruite of beautie, then love one;
Not your sweete selfe, for such selfe love is none.
Love one that onely lives in loving you,
Whose wrong'd deserts would you with pity view:
This strange distast which your affections swaies
Would relish love, and you find better daies.
Whose wrong'd deserts would you with pity view:
This strange distast which your affections swaies
Would relish love, and you find better daies.
Thus till my happie sight your beautie viewes,
Whose sweet remembrance stil my hope renewes,
Let these poore lines sollicite love for mee,
And place my joyes where my desires would bee.
Whose sweet remembrance stil my hope renewes,
Let these poore lines sollicite love for mee,
And place my joyes where my desires would bee.
XX.
[What thing is love but mourning?]
What thing is love but mourning?
What desire, but a selfe-burning?
Till shee that hates doth love returne,
Thus will I mourne, thus will I sing,
Come away, come away, my darling.
What desire, but a selfe-burning?
Till shee that hates doth love returne,
Thus will I mourne, thus will I sing,
Come away, come away, my darling.
Beautie is but a blooming,
Youth in his glorie entombing;
Time hath a wheel which none can stay:
Then come away, while thus I sing,
Come away, come away, my darling.
Youth in his glorie entombing;
Time hath a wheel which none can stay:
Then come away, while thus I sing,
Come away, come away, my darling.
Sommer in winter fadeth,
Gloomie night heav'nly light shadeth,
Like to the morne are Venus flowers;
Such are her howers: then will I sing,
Come away, come away, my darling.
Gloomie night heav'nly light shadeth,
Like to the morne are Venus flowers;
Such are her howers: then will I sing,
Come away, come away, my darling.
461
XXI.
[Whether men doe laugh or weepe]
Whether men doe laugh or weepe,
Whether they doe wake or sleepe,
Whether they die yoong or olde,
Whether they feele heate or colde,
There is, underneath the sunne,
Nothing in true earnest done.
Whether they doe wake or sleepe,
Whether they die yoong or olde,
Whether they feele heate or colde,
There is, underneath the sunne,
Nothing in true earnest done.
All our pride is but a jest;
None are worst, and none are best;
Griefe, and joy, and hope, and feare
Play their Pageants every where:
Vaine opinion all doth sway,
And the world is but a play.
None are worst, and none are best;
Griefe, and joy, and hope, and feare
Play their Pageants every where:
Vaine opinion all doth sway,
And the world is but a play.
Powers above in cloudes doe sit,
Mocking our poore apish wit
That so lamely, with such state,
Their high glorie imitate:
No ill can be felt but paine,
And that happie men disdaine.
Mocking our poore apish wit
That so lamely, with such state,
Their high glorie imitate:
No ill can be felt but paine,
And that happie men disdaine.
FINIS.
463
THE AYRES THAT WERE SUNG AND PLAYED, at Brougham Castle in Westmerland, in the Kings Entertainment:
Given by the Right Honourable the EARLE of CUMBERLAND, and his Right Noble Sonne the LORD CLIFFORD.
464
I. A DIALOGUE SUNG THE FIRST NIGHT,
The King being at supper.
CANTUS.Tune thy chearefull voyce to mine,
Musicke helpes digesting.
TENOR.
Musicke is as good as wine,
And as fit for feasting.
CANT.
Melodie now is needfull here,
It will helpe to mend our cheare.
BOTH.
Joyne then, one joy expressing.
CANT.
Here is a guest for whose content
All excesse were sparing.
TEN.
All to him present,
Hourely new delights preparing.
CHORUS.
Joy at thy board, health in thy dish,
Mirth in thy cup, and in thy bed
Soft sleepe and pleasing rest wee wish.
CANT.
Earth and ayre and Sea consent
In thy entertaining.
TEN.
All is old which they present,
Yet all choice contayning.
CANT.
Musick alone the soule can feast,
It being new and well exprest;
BOTH.
Joyne then, sweet cords enchaining.
CANT.
Could we to our wisht ends aspire,
Joy should crowne thy dishes.
TEN.
Proud is our desire,
If thou dost accept our wishes.
CHORUS.
Joy at thy board, health in thy dish,
Mirth in thy cup, and in thy bed
Soft sleepe and pleasing rest wee wish.
465
II. Another Dialogue, to be sung at the same time.
CANT.Now is the time, now is the hower
When joy first blest this happy Bower:
TEN.
Here is a sight that sweetens every sower.
CANT.
So shines the Moon by night,
TEN.
So looks the Sun by day;
CANT.
Heavenly is his light,
TEN.
And never shal decay.
CHORUS.
There is no voice enough can sing
The praise of our great King.
CANT.
Fal, showers of sweet delight;
TEN.
Spring, flowers of plesant mirth;
CANT.
What heaven hath beams that shine more bright?
TEN.
Here heven is now, stars shine on earth.
CANT.
In one all honor groweth,
TEN.
From one all comfort floweth:
BOTH.
Dutie saith that to this one all it hath it oweth.
CHORUS.
Let then that one of all be praised
That hath our fortunes raised.
III. The Kings Good-night.
Welcome, welcome, King of guests
With thy Princely traine,
With joyfull Triumphs and with Feasts
Be welcom'd home againe.
Frolicke mirth,
The soule of earth,
Shall watch for thy delight:
Knees shall bend
From friend to friend
While full cups doe thee right:
And so, great King, good-night.
With thy Princely traine,
With joyfull Triumphs and with Feasts
Be welcom'd home againe.
Frolicke mirth,
The soule of earth,
Shall watch for thy delight:
466
From friend to friend
While full cups doe thee right:
And so, great King, good-night.
Welcome, welcome as the Sunne
When the night is past:
With us the day is now begunne,
May it for ever last.
Such a morne
Did nere adorne
The Roses of the East,
As the North
Hath now brought forth:
The Northerne morne is best.
And so, best King, good rest.
When the night is past:
With us the day is now begunne,
May it for ever last.
Such a morne
Did nere adorne
The Roses of the East,
As the North
Hath now brought forth:
The Northerne morne is best.
And so, best King, good rest.
IV.
[Come follow me, my wandring mates]
Come follow me, my wandring mates,Sonnes and daughters of the Fates:
Friends of night, that oft have done
Homage to the horned Moone,
Fairely march, and shun not light,
With such stars as these made bright;
Yet bend you low your curled tops,
Touch the hallowed earth, and then
Rise agen with anticke hops
Unus'd of men.
Here no danger is, nor feare,
For true Honour harbours here,
Whom Grace attends.
Grace can make our foes our friends.
467
V. A Ballad.
Dido was the Carthage Queene
And lov'd the Trojan Knight,
That wandring many coasts had seene
And many a dreadfull fight:
As they on hunting road, a shower
Drave them, in a loving hower,
Downe to a darksome cave:
Where Aeneas with his charmes
Lockt Queene Dido in his armes
And had what hee could have.
And lov'd the Trojan Knight,
That wandring many coasts had seene
And many a dreadfull fight:
As they on hunting road, a shower
Drave them, in a loving hower,
Downe to a darksome cave:
Where Aeneas with his charmes
Lockt Queene Dido in his armes
And had what hee could have.
Dido Hymens Rites forgot,
Her love was wing'd with haste:
Her honour shee considered not,
But in her breast him plac't.
And, when her love was new begunne,
Jove sent downe his winged Sonne
To fright Aeneas sleepe;
Bad him by the breake of day
From Queene Dido steale away:
Which made her waile and weepe.
Her love was wing'd with haste:
Her honour shee considered not,
But in her breast him plac't.
And, when her love was new begunne,
Jove sent downe his winged Sonne
To fright Aeneas sleepe;
Bad him by the breake of day
From Queene Dido steale away:
Which made her waile and weepe.
Dido wept, but what of this?
The Gods would have it so:
Aeneas nothing did amisse,
For hee was forc't to goe.
Learne, Lordings, then, no faith to keepe
With your Loves, but let them weepe:
'Tis folly to be true.
Let this Story serve your turne,
And let twenty Didoes burne
So you get daily new.
The Gods would have it so:
Aeneas nothing did amisse,
For hee was forc't to goe.
Learne, Lordings, then, no faith to keepe
With your Loves, but let them weepe:
'Tis folly to be true.
Let this Story serve your turne,
And let twenty Didoes burne
So you get daily new.
468
VI. The Dance.
CANT.Robin is a lovely Lad,
No Lasse a smother ever had.
BASS.
Tommy hath a looke as bright
As is the rosie morning light.
BASS.
Tib is darke and browne of hue,
But, like her colour, firme and true.
TEN.
Ginny hath a lip to kisse
Wherein a spring of Nectar is.
TEN.
Simkin well his mirth can place,
And words to win a womans grace.
TEN.
Sib is all in all to me,
There is no Queene of Love but she.
ALL.
Let us in a lovers round
Circle all this hallowed ground.
Softly, softly trip and goe:
The light foot Fairies jet it so.
Forward, then,
And backe againe;
Here and there,
And everywhere,
Winding to and winding fro,
Skipping hye and lowting low.
CHORUS.
And, like lovers hand in hand,
March a round and make a stand.
469
VII. A Song.
The shadowes darkning our intentsMust fade, and Truth now take her place,
Who, in our right Aegyptian race,
A chaine of Prophecies presents
With which the starry Skye consents,
And all the under-Elements.
Thou that art all divine, give eare,
And grace our humble Songs
That speak what to thy State belongs
Unmasked now and cleare;
Which wee in severall straines divide,
And heaven-borne Truth our Notes shall guide,
One by one, while wee relate
That which shall tye both Time and Fate.
VIII.
[Truth, sprung from heaven, shall shine]
CANT.Truth, sprung from heaven, shall shine,
With her beames divine,
On all thy Land,
And there for ever stedfast stand.
BASS.
Lovely peace,
Spring of increase,
Shall like a precious gemme
Adorne thy Royall Diademe.
TEN.
Love, that bindes
Loyall mindes,
Shall make all hearts agree
To magnifie thy state and thee.
470
Honour, that proceeds
Out of noble deeds,
Shall waite on thee alone,
And cast a sacred light about thy Throne.
BASS.
Long shall thy three Crownes remaine,
Blessed in thy long-liv'd raigne.
Thy age shall like fresh youth appeare,
And perpetuall Roses beare.
TEN.
Many on earth thy dayes shall be,
But endlesse thy posteritie,
And matchlesse thy posteritie.
CHORUS.
Truth, Peace, Love, Honour, and Long-life attend
Thee, and all those that from thy loynes descend:
With us the Angels in this Chorus meet:
So humbly prostrate at thy sacred feet,
Our nightly sports and prophesies wee end.
IX. The Farewell Song.
O stay! sweet is the least delay,
When parting forceth mourning:
O Joy! too soone thy flowers decay,
From Rose to Bryer returning.
Bright beames that now shine here,
When you are parted,
All will be dimme, all will be dumbe,
And every breast sad hearted.
When parting forceth mourning:
O Joy! too soone thy flowers decay,
From Rose to Bryer returning.
Bright beames that now shine here,
When you are parted,
All will be dimme, all will be dumbe,
And every breast sad hearted.
Yet more, for true love may presume,
If it exceede not measure.
O griefe! that blest houres soone consume,
But joylesse pass at leasure.
Since wee this light must lose,
Our love expressing:
Farre may it shine, long may it live,
To all a publique blessing.
If it exceede not measure.
O griefe! that blest houres soone consume,
But joylesse pass at leasure.
Since wee this light must lose,
Our love expressing:
Farre may it shine, long may it live,
To all a publique blessing.
471
X. The Lords Welcome, sung before the Kings Good-night.
Welcome is the word,
The best love can afford:
For what can better be?
Welcome, Lords, the time drawes neare
When each one shall embrace his deare,
And view the face hee longs to see.
Absence makes the houre more sweet
When divided lovers meet.
The best love can afford:
For what can better be?
Welcome, Lords, the time drawes neare
When each one shall embrace his deare,
And view the face hee longs to see.
Absence makes the houre more sweet
When divided lovers meet.
Welcome once againe,
Though too much were in vaine:
Yet how can love exceed?
Princely Guests, wee wish there were
Joves Nectar and Ambrosia here,
That you might like immortals feed,
Changing shapes like full-fed Jove
In the sweet pursuit of love.
Though too much were in vaine:
Yet how can love exceed?
Princely Guests, wee wish there were
Joves Nectar and Ambrosia here,
That you might like immortals feed,
Changing shapes like full-fed Jove
In the sweet pursuit of love.
FINIS.
473
POEMS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
1.
[What if a day, or a month, or a yeare]
What if a day, or a month, or a yeare
Crown thy delights with a thousand sweet contentings?
Cannot a chance of a night or an howre
Crosse thy desires with as many sad tormentings?
Fortune, honor, beauty, youth
Are but blossoms dying;
Wanton pleasure, doating love,
Are but shadowes flying.
All our joyes are but toyes,
Idle thoughts deceiving;
None have power of an howre
In their lives bereaving.
Crown thy delights with a thousand sweet contentings?
Cannot a chance of a night or an howre
Crosse thy desires with as many sad tormentings?
Fortune, honor, beauty, youth
Are but blossoms dying;
Wanton pleasure, doating love,
Are but shadowes flying.
All our joyes are but toyes,
Idle thoughts deceiving;
None have power of an howre
In their lives bereaving.
Earthes but a point to the world, and a man
Is but a point to the worlds compared centure:
Shall then a point of a point be so vaine
As to triumph in a seely points adventure?
All is hassard that we have,
There is nothing biding;
Dayes of pleasure are like streames
Through faire meadowes gliding.
Weale and woe, time doth goe,
Time is never turning:
Secret fates guide our states,
Both in mirth and mourning.
Is but a point to the worlds compared centure:
Shall then a point of a point be so vaine
As to triumph in a seely points adventure?
All is hassard that we have,
There is nothing biding;
Dayes of pleasure are like streames
Through faire meadowes gliding.
Weale and woe, time doth goe,
Time is never turning:
Secret fates guide our states,
Both in mirth and mourning.
474
2. A Hymne in praise of Neptune.
Of Neptunes Empyre let us sing,
At whose command the waves obay:
To whom the Rivers tribute pay,
Downe the high mountaines sliding.
To whom the skaly Nation yeelds
Homage for the Cristall fields
Wherein they dwell;
And every Sea-god paies a Jem,
Yeerely out of his watry Cell,
To decke great Neptunes Diadem.
At whose command the waves obay:
To whom the Rivers tribute pay,
Downe the high mountaines sliding.
To whom the skaly Nation yeelds
Homage for the Cristall fields
Wherein they dwell;
And every Sea-god paies a Jem,
Yeerely out of his watry Cell,
To decke great Neptunes Diadem.
The Trytons dauncing in a ring,
Before his Pallace gates, doo make
The water with their Ecchoes quake,
Like the great Thunder sounding:
The Sea-Nymphes chaunt their Accents shrill,
And the Syrens taught to kill
With their sweet voyce,
Make ev'ry ecchoing Rocke reply,
Unto their gentle murmuring noyse,
The prayse of Neptunes Empery.
Before his Pallace gates, doo make
The water with their Ecchoes quake,
Like the great Thunder sounding:
The Sea-Nymphes chaunt their Accents shrill,
And the Syrens taught to kill
With their sweet voyce,
Make ev'ry ecchoing Rocke reply,
Unto their gentle murmuring noyse,
The prayse of Neptunes Empery.
Th. Campion.
475
3.
[Shadowes before the shining sunne do vanish]
Shadowes before the shining sunne do vanish,
The iron forcing Adamant doth resigne
His vertues where the Diamond doth shine;
Pure holines doth all enchantment banish,
And cullors of false Principallity
Do fade in presence of true majesty.
The iron forcing Adamant doth resigne
His vertues where the Diamond doth shine;
Pure holines doth all enchantment banish,
And cullors of false Principallity
Do fade in presence of true majesty.
Sheapheards sometymes in Lyons skins were cloathde,
But when the Royall Lyon did appeare,
What wonder though the sylly swaynes for feare
Theyr bravery and princely pale have loathed?
The Lyons skinn that graict our vanity
Falls down in presence of your Majesty.
But when the Royall Lyon did appeare,
What wonder though the sylly swaynes for feare
Theyr bravery and princely pale have loathed?
The Lyons skinn that graict our vanity
Falls down in presence of your Majesty.
4. Dolus
Thou shalt not love mee, neither shall these eyesShine on my soule shrowded in deadly night.
Thou shalt not breath on me thy spiceryes
Nor rocke mee in the quavers of delight.
Hould of thy hands, for I had rather dye
Then have my life by thy coye touch reprived.
Smile not on me, but frowne thou bitterly;
Slaye me out right: no lovers are long liv'de.
As for those lippes reserv'd so much in store,
Their rosy verdure shall not meete with myne.
Withhould thy proude embracements evermore,
I'le not be swadled in those arms of thyne.
Now shew it if thou be a woman right:
Embrace and kisse and love mee in despight.
finis Tho: Camp:
476
5.
[Thrice tosse those oaken ashes in the ayer]
Thrice tosse those oaken ashes in the ayer,And thrice three tymes tye up this true-lovs Knott;
Thrice sitt you downe in this inchanted chaire
And murmure softe, Shee will or shee will not.
Goe burne those poysoned weeds in that blew fyre,
This Cypres gathered out a dead mans grave,
These Scretchowles fethers and the prickling bryer
That all thy Thornye cares an end may have.
Then come you fairyes, daunce with mee a round,
Daunce in a Circle, let my Love be Center.
Melodiously breath an inchanted sound,
Melt her hard harte, that some remorse may enter.
In vayne are all the Charmes I can devise:
She hath an arte to breake them with her eyes.
finis Idem.
6. Beautie without Love deformitie
Thou art not fayer for all thy red and white,For all those Rosye temperatures in thee;
Thou art not sweet, though made of meere delight,
Nor fayer nor sweet unlesse thou pittie mee.
Thyne eyes are blacke and yet their glittering brightnes
Can night enlumine in her darkest den;
Thy hands are bloudy thoughts contriv'd of whitnes,
Both blacke and blooddy if they murder men.
Thy browe wheron my good happe doth depend
Fayerer then snow or lyllie in the springe,
Thy Tongue which saves at every sweete words end,
That hard as Marble, This a mortall sting.
I will not soothe thy follyes: thou shalt prove
That Beautie is no Beautie without Love.
finis Idem.
477
7.
[Do not, O do not prize thy beauty at too high a rate]
Do not, O do not prize thy beauty at too high a rate:
Love to be lov'd whilst thou art lovely, least thou love too late;
Frownes print wrincles in thy browes,
At which spightfull age doth smile,
Women in their froward vowes
Glorying to beguile.
Love to be lov'd whilst thou art lovely, least thou love too late;
Frownes print wrincles in thy browes,
At which spightfull age doth smile,
Women in their froward vowes
Glorying to beguile.
Wert thou the onely worlds admired, thou canst love but one;
But many have before beene lov'd, thou art not lov'd alone:
Couldst thou speake with heavenly grace,
Sapho might with thee compare;
Blush the Roses in thy face,
Rozamond was as fair.
But many have before beene lov'd, thou art not lov'd alone:
Couldst thou speake with heavenly grace,
Sapho might with thee compare;
Blush the Roses in thy face,
Rozamond was as fair.
Pride is the canker that consumeth beautie in her prime,
They that delight in long debating feele the curse of time.
All things with the time do change
That will not the time obey;
Some even to themselves seeme strange
Thorowe their owne delay.
They that delight in long debating feele the curse of time.
All things with the time do change
That will not the time obey;
Some even to themselves seeme strange
Thorowe their owne delay.
8.
[Some can flatter, some can faine]
Some can flatter, some can faine;
Simple trueth shall pleade for mee.
Let not beautie trueth disdaine:
Trueth is even as faire as shee.
Simple trueth shall pleade for mee.
Let not beautie trueth disdaine:
Trueth is even as faire as shee.
But, since Paires must equall prove,
Let my strength her youth oppose:
Love her beautie, faith her love;
On ev'n terms so may we close.
Let my strength her youth oppose:
Love her beautie, faith her love;
On ev'n terms so may we close.
Corke or Leade in equall waight
Both one just proportion yeeld;
So may breadth be pays'd with height,
Steepest mount with plainest field.
Both one just proportion yeeld;
So may breadth be pays'd with height,
Steepest mount with plainest field.
478
Vertues have not all one kind,
Yet all vertues merits bee:
Divers vertues are combind,
Diff'ring so Deserts agree.
Yet all vertues merits bee:
Divers vertues are combind,
Diff'ring so Deserts agree.
Let then love and beautie meete,
Making one divine concent,
Constant as the sounds, and sweete,
That enchant the firmament.
Making one divine concent,
Constant as the sounds, and sweete,
That enchant the firmament.
9.
[My deerest mistrisse, let us live and love]
My deerest mistrisse, let us live and love,And care not what old doting fools reprove.
Let us not feare their censures, nor esteeme
What they of us and of our loves shall deeme.
Old ages critticke and censorious brow
Cannot of youthful dalliance alow,
Nor ever could endure that we should tast
Of those delights which they themselves are past.
10.
[Art thou that shee then whome noe fayrer is?]
Art thou that shee then whome noe fayrer is?
Art thou that shee desier soe strives to kisse?
Say I am, how then?
Maids may not kisse
Such wanton humord men.
Art thou that shee desier soe strives to kisse?
Say I am, how then?
Maids may not kisse
Such wanton humord men.
Art thou that shee the world commends for witt?
Art thou soe wise, and makst noe use of it?
Say I am, how then?
My witt doth teach me shun
Such foolish foolish men.
Art thou soe wise, and makst noe use of it?
Say I am, how then?
My witt doth teach me shun
Such foolish foolish men.
479
11.
[As on a day Sabina fell asleepe]
As on a day Sabina fell asleepe,
Into her bower by stealth then I did creepe:
And first spake softe, then loude unto my deare;
And still Sabina heard, but would not heare.
Into her bower by stealth then I did creepe:
And first spake softe, then loude unto my deare;
And still Sabina heard, but would not heare.
Then to my selfe more courage did I take.
When I preceiv'd shee did both winke and wake,
Then downe I lay'd mee by her on the ground,
And still awake, asleepe, Sabina found.
When I preceiv'd shee did both winke and wake,
Then downe I lay'd mee by her on the ground,
And still awake, asleepe, Sabina found.
Then shew'd her sightes more strange to her then mee,
Yet still Sabina sawe, but would not see.
Now when as I had try'd all waies but one,
I lookt about, and found my selfe alone.
Yet still Sabina sawe, but would not see.
Now when as I had try'd all waies but one,
I lookt about, and found my selfe alone.
Then thought it best, the best waie for to wooe,
And still Sabina did, but would not doe:
Then did I touch each part from head to heele,
Yet still Sabina felt but would not feele.
And still Sabina did, but would not doe:
Then did I touch each part from head to heele,
Yet still Sabina felt but would not feele.
Nowe from the doer whie should shee have hid it,
Yf it be true that twas Sabina did it?
But shee saies nay; I sweare and saie soe too:
Shee did both heare, and see, and feele, and doe.
Yf it be true that twas Sabina did it?
But shee saies nay; I sweare and saie soe too:
Shee did both heare, and see, and feele, and doe.
12.
[The peacefull westerne winde the wintrye stormes hath calmde]
The peacefull westerne winde the wintrye stormes hath calmde,
And nature hath in every kinde the vitall heate inflam'de;
The flowers so sweetlye breathe out of the earthlye bowers
That heaven, which seeth their pompe benethe, would faine be decte with flowers;
To grace the lyvely springe let all the shepheards singe,
Fa la la la.
And nature hath in every kinde the vitall heate inflam'de;
The flowers so sweetlye breathe out of the earthlye bowers
That heaven, which seeth their pompe benethe, would faine be decte with flowers;
To grace the lyvely springe let all the shepheards singe,
Fa la la la.
480
See how the morninge smyles out of the easterne Cell,
And, softly stealinge forthe, beguiles them that in sleepe do dwell;
The frolicke birds do come from cliffs and Rocks unknowne
To see the treese and briers blow that late were overflowene:
All things do us invite to sing with sweete delite,
Fa la la la.
And, softly stealinge forthe, beguiles them that in sleepe do dwell;
The frolicke birds do come from cliffs and Rocks unknowne
To see the treese and briers blow that late were overflowene:
All things do us invite to sing with sweete delite,
Fa la la la.
What Nature did destroye renewes, revives againe,
And now the wanton naked boye doth in the woods remain:
Where he such Change doth Vewe in everye livinge thinge
As if the worlde were borne a newe to gratifie the springe.
To Cynthia then lett us recorde our musicke thus:
Fa la la la.
And now the wanton naked boye doth in the woods remain:
Where he such Change doth Vewe in everye livinge thinge
As if the worlde were borne a newe to gratifie the springe.
To Cynthia then lett us recorde our musicke thus:
Fa la la la.
13.
[Could my poore hart whole worlds of toungs employ]
Could my poore hart whole worlds of toungs employ,
The greifes it ownes that number would out goe;
Its so enured to greife, s' estranged from joy,
That it knows not how it releife should know.
Discurteous facts are cor'sives to true hearts,
And those are pronest to dispayring smarts.
The greifes it ownes that number would out goe;
Its so enured to greife, s' estranged from joy,
That it knows not how it releife should know.
Discurteous facts are cor'sives to true hearts,
And those are pronest to dispayring smarts.
Noe caution, thought, nor alteration can
Assume affections place; change harder is
Fancied to be; use Lords it soe ore man
That it brooks worst what's strange as being amisse.
And soe much witt should men in this age have
As they should chuse what's good and what's not leave.
Assume affections place; change harder is
Fancied to be; use Lords it soe ore man
That it brooks worst what's strange as being amisse.
And soe much witt should men in this age have
As they should chuse what's good and what's not leave.
Those men are blest that can their freedom get
Whensoere they will, and free themselves from thrall;
That hope disdaines, on joy a rate doth set
Inferiour far to th'blisse that ease men call:
A blest estate had better nere been knowne
Then from the height thereof downe to be throwne.
Whensoere they will, and free themselves from thrall;
That hope disdaines, on joy a rate doth set
Inferiour far to th'blisse that ease men call:
A blest estate had better nere been knowne
Then from the height thereof downe to be throwne.
481
14.
[Whether away my sweetest deerest?]
Whether away my sweetest deerest?Whether away will you depart?
Will you from mee that should bee neerest,
Will you from mee that have my hart?
No, no, no, no: bee with mee ever,
For on you my joyes do all relie;
Say then, o say, you'l leve mee never,
For if you forsake mee I must dye.
15.
[Hide not, sweetest Love, a sight so pleasing]
Hide not, sweetest Love, a sight so pleasing
As those smalls so light composed,
Those fair pillars your knees gently easing,
That tell wonders, being disclosed.
O show me yet a little more:
Here's the way, bar not the door.
As those smalls so light composed,
Those fair pillars your knees gently easing,
That tell wonders, being disclosed.
O show me yet a little more:
Here's the way, bar not the door.
How like sister's twines these knees are joined
To resist my bold approaching!
Why should beauty lurk like mines uncoined?
Love is right and no encroaching.
O show me yet a little more:
Here's the way, bar not the door.
To resist my bold approaching!
Why should beauty lurk like mines uncoined?
Love is right and no encroaching.
O show me yet a little more:
Here's the way, bar not the door.
| The Works of Thomas Campion | |