The complete works of John Lyly now for the first time collected and edited from the earliest quartos with life, bibliography, essays, notes and index by R. Warwick Bond |
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| IV. | IV. Later Love-Poems.
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 | The complete works of John Lyly |  |
IV. Later Love-Poems.
25.
[Farewell false loue, the oracle of lyes]
Farewell false loue, the oracle of lyes,
A mortal foe, & enimie to rest:
An enuious boy, from whome all cares aryse,
A bastard vile, a beast with rage possest:
A way of error, a temple ful of treason,
In all effects contrarie vnto reason.
A mortal foe, & enimie to rest:
An enuious boy, from whome all cares aryse,
A bastard vile, a beast with rage possest:
A way of error, a temple ful of treason,
In all effects contrarie vnto reason.
A poysoned serpent couered all with flowers,
Mother of sighes, and murtherer of repose,
A sea of sorows frō whēce are drawē such showers,
As moysture lend to euerie griefe that growes,
A school of guile, a net of deepe deceit,
A guilded hooke, that holds a poysoned bayte.
Mother of sighes, and murtherer of repose,
A sea of sorows frō whēce are drawē such showers,
As moysture lend to euerie griefe that growes,
A school of guile, a net of deepe deceit,
A guilded hooke, that holds a poysoned bayte.
472
A fortress foyled, which reason did defend,
A Syren song, a feauer of the minde,
A maze wherein affection finds no ende,
A raging cloude that runnes before the winde,
A substance like the shadow of the Sunne,
A goale of griefe for which the wisest runne.
A Syren song, a feauer of the minde,
A maze wherein affection finds no ende,
A raging cloude that runnes before the winde,
A substance like the shadow of the Sunne,
A goale of griefe for which the wisest runne.
A quenchlesse fire, a nurse of trembling feare,
A path that leads to perill and mishap,
A true retreat of sorrow and dispayre,
An idle boy that sleepes in pleasures lap,
A deepe mistrust of that which certaine seemes,
A hope of that which reason doubtfull deemes.
A path that leads to perill and mishap,
A true retreat of sorrow and dispayre,
An idle boy that sleepes in pleasures lap,
A deepe mistrust of that which certaine seemes,
A hope of that which reason doubtfull deemes.
Finis.
26.
[When younglyngs first on Cupide fyxe their sight]
When younglyngs first on Cupide fyxe their sight,
And see him naked, blyndfold & a boy,
Though bow & shafts and fier-brand be his might,
Yet weene they he can worke them none annoy.
And see him naked, blyndfold & a boy,
Though bow & shafts and fier-brand be his might,
Yet weene they he can worke them none annoy.
And therefore with his purpill wings they play,
For glorious semeth loue though light as fether,
And when they haue done they weene to skape away,
For blynd men, say they, shoote they know not whether.
For glorious semeth loue though light as fether,
And when they haue done they weene to skape away,
For blynd men, say they, shoote they know not whether.
But when by proofe they finde that he did see,
& that his wound did rather dym their sight,
They wonder more how such a lad as he,
Should be of such surpassing powre and might:
& that his wound did rather dym their sight,
They wonder more how such a lad as he,
Should be of such surpassing powre and might:
But Ants haue gals, so hath the Bee his styng,
Then sheeld me heauens from such a subtyle thing.
Then sheeld me heauens from such a subtyle thing.
27.
[When I was otherwise then now I am]
When I was otherwise then now I am,
I loued more but skilled not so much:
Fayre wordes and smyles could haue contented than,
My simple age & ignorance was such:
But at the length experience made me wonder,
That harts & tongues did lodge so farre asunder.
I loued more but skilled not so much:
Fayre wordes and smyles could haue contented than,
My simple age & ignorance was such:
But at the length experience made me wonder,
That harts & tongues did lodge so farre asunder.
As watermen which on the Teames do row
Looke to the East, but West keepes on the way,
My Soueraigne sweet, her countenance setled so,
To feede my hope while she her snares might laye.
And when she sawe that I was in her danger,
Good God, how soone she proued then a ranger.
Looke to the East, but West keepes on the way,
473
To feede my hope while she her snares might laye.
And when she sawe that I was in her danger,
Good God, how soone she proued then a ranger.
I could not choose but laugh although to late,
To see great craft diszifered in a toye,
I loue her still, but such conditions hate,
Which so prophanes my Paradice of ioy.
Loue whetts the witts, whose paine is but a pleasure,
A toy, by fitts, to play withall at leasure.
To see great craft diszifered in a toye,
I loue her still, but such conditions hate,
Which so prophanes my Paradice of ioy.
Loue whetts the witts, whose paine is but a pleasure,
A toy, by fitts, to play withall at leasure.
28. A Gentlewoman yt married a yonge Gent who after forsooke [hir,] wherevppon she tooke hir Needle in wch she was excelēt & worked vpō hir Sampler thus
Come, giue me needle, stitch cloth, silke & chaireyt I may sitt and sigh, and sow & singe
For perfect coollors to discribe ye aire
a subtile persinge changinge constant thinge
No false stitch will I make, my hart is true
plaine stitche my Sampler is for to cōplaine
How men haue tongues of hony, harts of rue.
true tongues & harts are one, men makes them twaine.
Giue me black silk yt sable suites my hart
& yet som white though white words do deceiue
No green at all for youth & I must part
Purple & blew, fast loue & faith to weaue.
Mayden no more sleepeless ile goe to bedd
Take all away, ye work works in my hedd.
29.
[Feede still thy selfe, thou fondling with beliefe]
Feede still thy selfe, thou fondling with beliefe,
Go hunt thy hope, that neuer tooke effect,
Accuse the wrongs that oft hath wrought thy griefe,
And reckon sure where reason would suspect.
Go hunt thy hope, that neuer tooke effect,
Accuse the wrongs that oft hath wrought thy griefe,
And reckon sure where reason would suspect.
474
Dwell in the dreames of wish and vaine desire,
Pursue the faith that flies and seekes to new,
Run after hopes that mocke thee with retire,
And looke for loue where liking neuer grew.
Pursue the faith that flies and seekes to new,
Run after hopes that mocke thee with retire,
And looke for loue where liking neuer grew.
Deuise conceits to ease thy carefull hart,
Trust vpon times and daies of grace behinde,
Presume the rights of promise and desart,
And measure loue by thy beleeuing minde.
Trust vpon times and daies of grace behinde,
Presume the rights of promise and desart,
And measure loue by thy beleeuing minde.
Force thy affects that spite doth daily chace,
Winke at thy wrongs with wilfull ouersight,
See not the soyle and staine of thy disgrace,
Nor recke disdaine, to doate on thy delite.
Winke at thy wrongs with wilfull ouersight,
See not the soyle and staine of thy disgrace,
Nor recke disdaine, to doate on thy delite.
And when thou seest the end of thy reward,
And these effects ensue of thine assault,
When rashnes rues, that reason should regard,
Yet still accuse thy fortune for the fault.
And these effects ensue of thine assault,
When rashnes rues, that reason should regard,
Yet still accuse thy fortune for the fault.
And crie, O Loue, O death, O vaine desire,
When thou complainst the heate, and feeds[t] the fire.
When thou complainst the heate, and feeds[t] the fire.
30.
[Those eies which set my fancie on a fire]
Those eies which set my fancie on a fire,
Those crisped haires, which hold my hart in chains,
Those daintie hands, which conquer'd my desire,
That wit, which of my thoughts doth hold the rains.
Those crisped haires, which hold my hart in chains,
Those daintie hands, which conquer'd my desire,
That wit, which of my thoughts doth hold the rains.
Those eies for cleerenes doe the starrs surpas,
Those haires obscure the brightnes of the Sunne,
Those hands more white, than euer Iuorie was,
That wit euen to the skies hath glorie woon.
Those haires obscure the brightnes of the Sunne,
Those hands more white, than euer Iuorie was,
That wit euen to the skies hath glorie woon.
O eies that pearce our harts without remorse,
O haires of right that weares a roiall crowne,
O hands that conquer more than Cæsars force,
O wit that turns huge kingdoms vpside downe.
O haires of right that weares a roiall crowne,
O hands that conquer more than Cæsars force,
O wit that turns huge kingdoms vpside downe.
Then Loue be Judge, what hart can thee withstand:
Such eies, such haire, such wit, and such a hand.
Such eies, such haire, such wit, and such a hand.
475
31.
[Those eies that holds the hand of euery hart]
Those eies that holds the hand of euery hart,
Those hands that holds the hart of euery eie,
That wit that goes beyond all natures art,
That sence, too deepe, for wisdome to descrie,
That eie, that hand, that wit, that heauenly sence,
All these doth show my Mistres Excellence.
Those hands that holds the hart of euery eie,
That wit that goes beyond all natures art,
That sence, too deepe, for wisdome to descrie,
That eie, that hand, that wit, that heauenly sence,
All these doth show my Mistres Excellence.
Oh eies that perce into the purest hart,
Oh hands that hold, the highest harts in thrall,
Oh wit that weyes the deapth of all desart,
Oh sence that showes the secret sweete of all,
The heauen of heauens, with heuenly powrs preserue thee,
Loue but thy selfe, and giue me leaue to serue thee.
Oh hands that hold, the highest harts in thrall,
Oh wit that weyes the deapth of all desart,
Oh sence that showes the secret sweete of all,
The heauen of heauens, with heuenly powrs preserue thee,
Loue but thy selfe, and giue me leaue to serue thee.
To serue, to liue, to looke vpon those eies,
To looke, to liue, to kisse that heauenlie hand,
To sound that wit, that doth amaze the wise,
To knowe that sence, no sence can vnderstand,
To vnderstande that all the world may know,
Such wit, such sence, eies, hands, there are no moe.
To looke, to liue, to kisse that heauenlie hand,
To sound that wit, that doth amaze the wise,
To knowe that sence, no sence can vnderstand,
To vnderstande that all the world may know,
Such wit, such sence, eies, hands, there are no moe.
32.
[By wracke late driuen on shore, from Cupids Crare]
By wracke late driuen on shore, from Cupids Crare,
Whose sailes of error, sighes of hope and feare,
Conueied through seas of teares, and sands of care,
Till rocks of high disdaine, hir sides did teare,
I write a dirge, for dolefull doues to sing,
With selfe same quill, I pluckt from Cupids wing.
Whose sailes of error, sighes of hope and feare,
Conueied through seas of teares, and sands of care,
Till rocks of high disdaine, hir sides did teare,
I write a dirge, for dolefull doues to sing,
With selfe same quill, I pluckt from Cupids wing.
Farewell vnkinde, by whom I fare so ill,
Whose looks bewitcht my thoughts with false surmise,
Till forced reason did vnbinde my will,
And shewed my hart, the follie of mine eies,
And saide, attending where I should attaine,
Twixt wish and want, was but a pleasing paine.
Whose looks bewitcht my thoughts with false surmise,
Till forced reason did vnbinde my will,
And shewed my hart, the follie of mine eies,
And saide, attending where I should attaine,
Twixt wish and want, was but a pleasing paine.
Farewell vnkinde, my floode is at an ebbe
My troubled thoughts, are turnd to quiet wars,
My fancies hope hath spun and spent hir webbe,
My former wounds are closed vp with skars,
As ashes lie, long since consumde with fire,
So is my loue, so now is my desire.
My troubled thoughts, are turnd to quiet wars,
My fancies hope hath spun and spent hir webbe,
My former wounds are closed vp with skars,
As ashes lie, long since consumde with fire,
So is my loue, so now is my desire.
476
Farewell vnkinde, my first and finall loue,
Whose coie contempts, it bootes not heere to name,
But gods are iust, and euery star aboue,
Doth threat reuenge, where faiths reward is blame,
And I may liue, though your despised thrall,
By fond mischoyce, to see your fortunes fall.
Whose coie contempts, it bootes not heere to name,
But gods are iust, and euery star aboue,
Doth threat reuenge, where faiths reward is blame,
And I may liue, though your despised thrall,
By fond mischoyce, to see your fortunes fall.
Farewell vnkinde, most cruell of your kinde,
By whom my worth, is drowned in disdaines,
As was my loue, so is your iudgement blinde,
My fortune ill, and such hath beene my gaines,
But this for all, I list no more to saie,
Farewell faire proude, not lifes, but loues decaie.
By whom my worth, is drowned in disdaines,
As was my loue, so is your iudgement blinde,
My fortune ill, and such hath beene my gaines,
But this for all, I list no more to saie,
Farewell faire proude, not lifes, but loues decaie.
33. A Counterloue.
Declare, O minde, from fond desires excluded,
That thou didst find erewhile, by Loue deluded.
That thou didst find erewhile, by Loue deluded.
An eie, the plot, whereon Loue sets his gin,
Beautie, the trap, wherein the heedles fall,
A smile, the traine, that drawes the simple in,
Sweete words, the wilie instrument of all,
Intreaties posts, faire promises are charmes,
Writing, the messenger, that wooes our harmes.
Beautie, the trap, wherein the heedles fall,
A smile, the traine, that drawes the simple in,
Sweete words, the wilie instrument of all,
Intreaties posts, faire promises are charmes,
Writing, the messenger, that wooes our harmes.
Mistresse, and seruant, titles of mischaunce:
Commaundments done, the act of slauerie,
Their coulors worne, a clownish cognisaunce,
And double dutie, pettie drudgerie,
And when she twines and dallies with thy locks,
Thy freedome then is brought into the stocks.
Commaundments done, the act of slauerie,
Their coulors worne, a clownish cognisaunce,
And double dutie, pettie drudgerie,
And when she twines and dallies with thy locks,
Thy freedome then is brought into the stocks.
To touch hir hand, hir hand bindes thy desire,
To weare hir ring, hir ring is Nessus gift,
To feele hir brest, hir brest doth blowe the fire,
To see hir bare, her bare a baleful drift,
To baite thine eies thereon, is losse of sight,
To thinke of it, confounds thy senses quite.
To weare hir ring, hir ring is Nessus gift,
To feele hir brest, hir brest doth blowe the fire,
To see hir bare, her bare a baleful drift,
To baite thine eies thereon, is losse of sight,
To thinke of it, confounds thy senses quite.
Kisses the keies, to sweete consuming sin,
Closings, Cleopatras adders at thy brest,
Fained resistance then she will begin,
And yet vnsatiable in all the rest,
And when thou doost vnto the act proceede,
The bed doth grone, and tremble at the deede.
Closings, Cleopatras adders at thy brest,
Fained resistance then she will begin,
And yet vnsatiable in all the rest,
And when thou doost vnto the act proceede,
The bed doth grone, and tremble at the deede.
477
Beautie, a siluer dew that falls in May,
Loue is an Egshell, with that humor fild,
Desire, a winged boy, comming that way,
Delights and dallies with it in the field,
The firie Sun, drawes vp the shell on hie,
Beautie decaies, Loue dies, desire doth flie.
Loue is an Egshell, with that humor fild,
Desire, a winged boy, comming that way,
Delights and dallies with it in the field,
The firie Sun, drawes vp the shell on hie,
Beautie decaies, Loue dies, desire doth flie.
Vnharmd giue eare, that thing is hap'ly caught,
That cost some deere, if thou maist ha't for naught.
That cost some deere, if thou maist ha't for naught.
34. The Description of Iealousie.
A seeing friend, yet enimie to rest,
A wrangling passion, yet a gladsom thought,
A bad companion, yet a welcom guest,
A knowledge wisht, yet found too soone vnsought,
From heauen supposde, yet sure condemn'd to hell,
Is Iealousie, and there forlorne doth dwell.
A wrangling passion, yet a gladsom thought,
A bad companion, yet a welcom guest,
A knowledge wisht, yet found too soone vnsought,
From heauen supposde, yet sure condemn'd to hell,
Is Iealousie, and there forlorne doth dwell.
And thence doth send fond feare and false suspect,
To haunt our thoughts bewitched with mistrust,
Which breedes in vs the issue and effect,
Both of conceits and actions far vniust,
The griefe, the shame, the smart wherof doth proue,
That Iealousie's both death and hell to Loue.
To haunt our thoughts bewitched with mistrust,
Which breedes in vs the issue and effect,
Both of conceits and actions far vniust,
The griefe, the shame, the smart wherof doth proue,
That Iealousie's both death and hell to Loue.
For what but hell moues in the iealous hart,
Where restles feare works out all wanton ioyes,
Which doth both quench and kill the louing part,
And cloies the minde with worse than knowne annoyes,
Whose pressure far exceeds hells deepe extreemes,
Such life leads Loue entangled with misdeemes.
Where restles feare works out all wanton ioyes,
Which doth both quench and kill the louing part,
And cloies the minde with worse than knowne annoyes,
Whose pressure far exceeds hells deepe extreemes,
Such life leads Loue entangled with misdeemes.
35.
[Short is my rest, whose toile is ouerlong]
Short is my rest, whose toile is ouerlong,
My ioyes are darke, but cleere I see my woe,
My safetie small: great wracks I bide by wrong,
Whose time is swift, and yet my hap but sloe,
Each griefe and wound, in my poore hart appeeres,
That laugheth howres, and weepeth many yeeres.
My ioyes are darke, but cleere I see my woe,
My safetie small: great wracks I bide by wrong,
Whose time is swift, and yet my hap but sloe,
Each griefe and wound, in my poore hart appeeres,
That laugheth howres, and weepeth many yeeres.
Deedes of the day, are fables for the night,
Sighes of desire, are smoakes of thoughtfull teares,
My steps are false, although my paths be right,
Disgrace is bolde, and fauor full of feares,
Disquiet sleepe, keepes audit of my life,
Where rare content, doth make displeasure rife.
Sighes of desire, are smoakes of thoughtfull teares,
478
Disgrace is bolde, and fauor full of feares,
Disquiet sleepe, keepes audit of my life,
Where rare content, doth make displeasure rife.
The dolefull bell, that is the voice of time,
Cals on my end, before my haps be seene,
Thus fals my hopes, whose harmes haue power to clime,
Not come to haue that long in wish hath beene,
I seeke your loue, and feare not others hate,
Be you with me, and I haue Cæsars state.
Cals on my end, before my haps be seene,
Thus fals my hopes, whose harmes haue power to clime,
Not come to haue that long in wish hath beene,
I seeke your loue, and feare not others hate,
Be you with me, and I haue Cæsars state.
36.
[Praisd be Dianas faire and harmles light]
Praisd be Dianas faire and harmles light,
Praisd be the dewes, wherwith she moists the ground;
Praisd be hir beames, the glorie of the night,
Praisd be hir powre, by which all powres abound.
Praisd be the dewes, wherwith she moists the ground;
Praisd be hir beames, the glorie of the night,
Praisd be hir powre, by which all powres abound.
Praisd be hir Nimphs, with whom she decks the woods,
Praisd be hir knights, in whom true honor liues,
Praisd be that force, by which she moues the floods,
Let that Diana shine, which all these giues.
Praisd be hir knights, in whom true honor liues,
Praisd be that force, by which she moues the floods,
Let that Diana shine, which all these giues.
In heauen Queene she is, among the spheares,
In ay[er] she Mistres like makes all things pure,
Eternitie in hir oft chaunge she beares,
She beautie is, by hir the faire endure.
In ay[er] she Mistres like makes all things pure,
Eternitie in hir oft chaunge she beares,
She beautie is, by hir the faire endure.
Time weares hir not, she doth his chariot guide,
Mortalitie belowe hir orbe is plaste,
By hir the vertue of the starrs doune slide,
In hir is vertues perfect image cast:
Mortalitie belowe hir orbe is plaste,
By hir the vertue of the starrs doune slide,
In hir is vertues perfect image cast:
A knowledge pure it is hir worth to kno,
With Circes let them dwell that thinke not so.
With Circes let them dwell that thinke not so.
37.
[My thoughts are wingde with hop[e]s, my hop[e]s with loue]
My thoughts are wingde with hop[e]s, my hop[e]s with loue,
Moūt loue vnto the moone in cleerest night,
And say as she doth in the heauens mooue
In earth so wanes & waxeth my delight:
And whisper this but softly in her eares,
Hope oft doth hang the head, and trust shed teares.
Moūt loue vnto the moone in cleerest night,
479
In earth so wanes & waxeth my delight:
And whisper this but softly in her eares,
Hope oft doth hang the head, and trust shed teares.
And you my thoughts that some mistrust do cary,
If for mistrust my mistrisse do you blame,
Say though you alter, yet you do not varry,
As she doth change, and yet remaine the same:
Distrust doth enter harts, but not infect,
And loue is sweetest seasned with suspect.
If for mistrust my mistrisse do you blame,
Say though you alter, yet you do not varry,
As she doth change, and yet remaine the same:
Distrust doth enter harts, but not infect,
And loue is sweetest seasned with suspect.
If she for this, with cloudes do maske her eies,
And make the heauens darke with her disdaine,
With windie sighes disperse them in the skies,
Or with thy teares dissolue them into raine;
Thoughts, hopes, & loue returne to me no more,
Till Cynthia shine as she hath done before.
And make the heauens darke with her disdaine,
With windie sighes disperse them in the skies,
Or with thy teares dissolue them into raine;
Thoughts, hopes, & loue returne to me no more,
Till Cynthia shine as she hath done before.
38. A Nimphs disdaine of Loue.
Hey downe a downe did Dian sing,
amongst her Virgins sitting:
Then loue there is no vainer thing,
for Maydens most vnfitting,
And so think I, with a downe downe derrie.
amongst her Virgins sitting:
Then loue there is no vainer thing,
for Maydens most vnfitting,
And so think I, with a downe downe derrie.
When women knew no woe,
but liu'd them-selues to please:
Mens fayning guiles they did not know,
the ground of their disease.
Vnborne was false suspect,
no thought of iealousie:
From wanton toyes and fond affect,
The Virgins life was free.
Hey downe a downe did Dian sing &c.
but liu'd them-selues to please:
Mens fayning guiles they did not know,
the ground of their disease.
Vnborne was false suspect,
no thought of iealousie:
From wanton toyes and fond affect,
The Virgins life was free.
Hey downe a downe did Dian sing &c.
480
At length men vsed charmes,
to which what Maides gaue eare:
Embracing gladly endlesse harmes,
anone enthralled were.
Thus women welcom'd woe,
disguis'd in name of loue:
A iealous hell, a painted show,
so shall they finde that proue.
to which what Maides gaue eare:
Embracing gladly endlesse harmes,
anone enthralled were.
Thus women welcom'd woe,
disguis'd in name of loue:
A iealous hell, a painted show,
so shall they finde that proue.
Hey downe a downe did Dian sing,
amongst her Virgins sitting:
Then loue there is no vainer thing,
for Maydens most vnfitting.
And so thinke I, with a downe downe derrie.
amongst her Virgins sitting:
Then loue there is no vainer thing,
for Maydens most vnfitting.
And so thinke I, with a downe downe derrie.
Finis.
39. The Nimphs reply to the Sheepheard.
If all the world and loue were young,
And truth in euery Sheepheards tongue,
These pretty pleasures might me moue,
To liue with thee, and be thy loue.
And truth in euery Sheepheards tongue,
These pretty pleasures might me moue,
To liue with thee, and be thy loue.
Time driues the flocks from field to fold,
When Riuers rage, and Rocks grow cold,
And Philomell becommeth dombe,
The rest complaines of cares to come.
When Riuers rage, and Rocks grow cold,
And Philomell becommeth dombe,
The rest complaines of cares to come.
The flowers doe fade & wanton fieldes,
To wayward winter reckoning yeeldes,
A honny tongue, a hart of gall,
Is fancies spring, but sorrowes fall.
To wayward winter reckoning yeeldes,
A honny tongue, a hart of gall,
Is fancies spring, but sorrowes fall.
Thy gownes, thy shooes, thy beds of Roses,
Thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy poesies,
Soone breake, soone wither, soone forgotten:
In follie ripe, in reason rotten.
Thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy poesies,
Soone breake, soone wither, soone forgotten:
In follie ripe, in reason rotten.
Thy belt of straw and Iuie buddes,
Thy Corall claspes and Amber studdes,
All these in mee no meanes can moue,
To come to thee, and be thy loue.
Thy Corall claspes and Amber studdes,
All these in mee no meanes can moue,
To come to thee, and be thy loue.
481
But could youth last, and loue still breede,
Had ioyes no date, nor age no neede,
Then these delights my minde might moue,
To liue with thee, and be thy loue.
Had ioyes no date, nor age no neede,
Then these delights my minde might moue,
To liue with thee, and be thy loue.
Finis.
40. Another of the same nature, made since.
Come liue with mee, and be my deere,
And we will reuell all the yeere,
In plaines and groaues, on hills and dales:
Where fragrant ayre breedes sweetest gales.
And we will reuell all the yeere,
In plaines and groaues, on hills and dales:
Where fragrant ayre breedes sweetest gales.
There shall you haue the beauteous Pine,
The Cedar, and the spreading Vine,
And all the woods to be a Skreene:
Least Phœbus kisse my Sommers Queene.
The Cedar, and the spreading Vine,
And all the woods to be a Skreene:
Least Phœbus kisse my Sommers Queene.
The seate for your disport shall be
Ouer some Riuer in a tree,
Where siluer sands, and pebbles sing,
Eternall ditties with the spring.
Ouer some Riuer in a tree,
Where siluer sands, and pebbles sing,
Eternall ditties with the spring.
There shall you see the Nimphs at play,
And how the Satires spend the day,
The fishes gliding on the sands:
Offering their bellies to your hands.
And how the Satires spend the day,
The fishes gliding on the sands:
Offering their bellies to your hands.
The birds with heauenly tuned throates,
Possesse woods Ecchoes with sweet noates,
Which to your sences will impart,
A musique to enflame the hart.
Possesse woods Ecchoes with sweet noates,
Which to your sences will impart,
A musique to enflame the hart.
Vpon the bare and leafe-lesse Oake,
The Ring-Doues wooings will prouoke
A colder blood then you possesse,
To play with me and doo no lesse.
The Ring-Doues wooings will prouoke
A colder blood then you possesse,
To play with me and doo no lesse.
In bowers of Laurell trimly dight,
We will out-weare the silent night,
While Flora busie is to spread:
Her richest treasure on our bed.
We will out-weare the silent night,
While Flora busie is to spread:
Her richest treasure on our bed.
482
Ten thousand Glow-wormes shall attend,
And all their sparkling lights shall spend,
All to adorne and beautifie:
Your lodging with most maiestie.
And all their sparkling lights shall spend,
All to adorne and beautifie:
Your lodging with most maiestie.
Then in mine armes will I enclose
Lillies faire mixture with the Rose,
Whose nice perfections in loues play:
Shall tune me to the highest key.
Lillies faire mixture with the Rose,
Whose nice perfections in loues play:
Shall tune me to the highest key.
Thus as we passe the welcome night,
In sportfull pleasures and delight,
The nimble Fairies on the grounds,
Shall daunce and sing mellodious sounds.
In sportfull pleasures and delight,
The nimble Fairies on the grounds,
Shall daunce and sing mellodious sounds.
If these may serue for to entice,
Your presence to Loues Paradice,
Then come with me, and be my Deare:
And we will straite begin the yeare.
Your presence to Loues Paradice,
Then come with me, and be my Deare:
And we will straite begin the yeare.
Finis.
41. Naturall comparisons with perfect loue
The lowest Trees haue tops, the Ante her gall,
The flie her splene, the little sparkes their heate:
The slender haires cast shadowes, though but small,
And Bees haue stings, although they be not great:
Seas haue their sourse, & so haue shallow springs,
And loue is loue, in Beggars, as in Kings.
The flie her splene, the little sparkes their heate:
The slender haires cast shadowes, though but small,
And Bees haue stings, although they be not great:
Seas haue their sourse, & so haue shallow springs,
And loue is loue, in Beggars, as in Kings.
Where riuers smoothest run, deepe are the foords,
The Diall stirres, yet none perceiues it mooue:
The firmest faith is in the fewest wordes,
The Turtles cannot sing, and yet they loue:
True Harts haue eyes, & eares, no tongs to speake,
They heare, & see, and sigh, and then they breake.
The Diall stirres, yet none perceiues it mooue:
The firmest faith is in the fewest wordes,
The Turtles cannot sing, and yet they loue:
True Harts haue eyes, & eares, no tongs to speake,
They heare, & see, and sigh, and then they breake.
483
41. An Answere to the first Staffe, that Loue is vnlike in Beggers and in Kings.
Compare the Bramble with the Cedar tree,
The Pismyres anger with the Lyons rage:
What is the Buzzing flie where Eagles bee?
A drop the sparke, no seas can Aetna swage.
Small is the heat in Beggers brests that springs,
But flaming fire consumes the hearts of Kings.
The Pismyres anger with the Lyons rage:
What is the Buzzing flie where Eagles bee?
A drop the sparke, no seas can Aetna swage.
Small is the heat in Beggers brests that springs,
But flaming fire consumes the hearts of Kings.
Who shrouds himself where slender hairs cast shade:
But mighty Oakes may scorne the Summer Sun:
Smal cure wil serue, wher Bees the woūd haue made
But Dragons poyson through each part doth run:
Light is the loue that Beggers bosome stings,
Deepe is the wound that Cupid makes in Kings.
But mighty Oakes may scorne the Summer Sun:
Smal cure wil serue, wher Bees the woūd haue made
But Dragons poyson through each part doth run:
Light is the loue that Beggers bosome stings,
Deepe is the wound that Cupid makes in Kings.
Smal channels serue, where shallow springs do slide,
And little helpe will turne or stay their course:
The highest banks scarce holde the swelling tide,
Which ouer-throwes all stops with raging force:
The baser sort scarce wett them in the springs,
Which ouer-whelme the heads of mighty kings.
And little helpe will turne or stay their course:
The highest banks scarce holde the swelling tide,
Which ouer-throwes all stops with raging force:
The baser sort scarce wett them in the springs,
Which ouer-whelme the heads of mighty kings.
What though in both the hart bee set of Loue?
The self same ground both corne and cockle breeds
Fast by the Bryer, the Pine-tree mounts aboue,
One kinde of grasse, the Iade and Iennet feedes:
So from the hart, by secret virtue springs,
Vnlike desire in Beggers and in Kings.
The self same ground both corne and cockle breeds
Fast by the Bryer, the Pine-tree mounts aboue,
One kinde of grasse, the Iade and Iennet feedes:
So from the hart, by secret virtue springs,
Vnlike desire in Beggers and in Kings.
484
42.
[Praise blindnesse eies, for seeing is deceit]
Praise blindnesse eies, for seeing is deceit,
Bee dumbe vaine tongue, words are but flattering windes,
Breake hart & bleed for ther is no receit,
To purge inconstancy from most mens mindes.
And so I wackt amazd and could not moue,
I know my dreame was true, and yet I loue.
Bee dumbe vaine tongue, words are but flattering windes,
Breake hart & bleed for ther is no receit,
To purge inconstancy from most mens mindes.
And so I wackt amazd and could not moue,
I know my dreame was true, and yet I loue.
And if thine eares false Haralds to thy hart,
Conuey into thy head hopes to obtaine,
Then tell thy hearing thou art deafe by art,
Now loue is art that wonted to be plaine,
Now none is bald except they see his braines,
Affection is not knowne till one be dead,
Reward for loue are labours for his paines,
Loues quiuer made of gold his shafts of leade.
And so I wackt amazd and could not moue,
I know my dreame was true, and yet I loue.
Conuey into thy head hopes to obtaine,
Then tell thy hearing thou art deafe by art,
Now loue is art that wonted to be plaine,
Now none is bald except they see his braines,
Affection is not knowne till one be dead,
Reward for loue are labours for his paines,
Loues quiuer made of gold his shafts of leade.
And so I wackt amazd and could not moue,
I know my dreame was true, and yet I loue.
43.
[If fluds of teares could cleanse my follies past]
If fluds of teares could cleanse my follies past,
And smoakes of sighes might sacrifice for sinne,
If groning cries might salue my fault at last,
Or endles mone, for error pardon win,
Then would I cry, weepe, sigh, and euer mone,
Mine errors, fault, sins, follies past and gone.
And smoakes of sighes might sacrifice for sinne,
If groning cries might salue my fault at last,
Or endles mone, for error pardon win,
Then would I cry, weepe, sigh, and euer mone,
Mine errors, fault, sins, follies past and gone.
I see my hopes must wither in their bud,
I see my fauours are no lasting flowers,
I see that woords will breede no better good,
Then losse of time and lightening but at houres,
Thus when I see then thus I say therefore,
That fauours hopes and words, can blinde no more.
I see my fauours are no lasting flowers,
I see that woords will breede no better good,
Then losse of time and lightening but at houres,
Thus when I see then thus I say therefore,
That fauours hopes and words, can blinde no more.
485
44.
[Farewell too faire, too chaste but too too cruell]
Farewell too faire, too chaste but too too cruell,
Discretion neuer quenched fire with swords:
Why hast thou made my heart thine angers fuell,
And now would kill my passions with thy words.
This is prowd beauties true anatamy,
If that secure seuere in secresie,
farewell, farewell.
Discretion neuer quenched fire with swords:
Why hast thou made my heart thine angers fuell,
And now would kill my passions with thy words.
This is prowd beauties true anatamy,
If that secure seuere in secresie,
farewell, farewell.
Farewell too deare, and too too much desired,
Vnlesse compassion dwelt more neere thy heart:
Loue by neglect (though constant) oft is tired,
And forc't from blisse vnwillingly to part.
This is prowd beauties true anatamy
If that secure seuere in secresie,
farewell, farewell.
Vnlesse compassion dwelt more neere thy heart:
Loue by neglect (though constant) oft is tired,
And forc't from blisse vnwillingly to part.
This is prowd beauties true anatamy
If that secure seuere in secresie,
farewell, farewell.
45.
[A Womans looks]
A Womans looks
Are barbed hooks,
That catch by art
The strongest hart
When yet they spend no breath,
But let them speake
& sighing break,
Forth into teares,
Their words are speares
Yt wound our souls to death.
Are barbed hooks,
That catch by art
The strongest hart
When yet they spend no breath,
But let them speake
& sighing break,
Forth into teares,
Their words are speares
Yt wound our souls to death.
The rarest wit
Is made forget,
And like a child
Is oft beguild,
With loues sweete seeming baite:
Loue with his rod
So like a God,
Commands the mind,
We cannot find
Faire shewes hide fowle deceit.
Is made forget,
And like a child
Is oft beguild,
With loues sweete seeming baite:
Loue with his rod
So like a God,
Commands the mind,
We cannot find
Faire shewes hide fowle deceit.
Time that all thinges
In order bringes,
Hath taught me now
To be more slow,
In giuing faith to speech:
Since womens wordes
No truth affordes,
And when they kisse
They thinke by this,
Vs men to ouer-reach.
In order bringes,
486
To be more slow,
In giuing faith to speech:
Since womens wordes
No truth affordes,
And when they kisse
They thinke by this,
Vs men to ouer-reach.
46.
[Fond wanton youths make loue a God]
Fond wanton youths make loue a God,
Which after proueth ages rod,
Their youth, their time, their wit, their arte,
They spend in seeking of their smarte
And which of follies is the chiefe,
They wooe their woe, they wedde their griefe.
Which after proueth ages rod,
Their youth, their time, their wit, their arte,
They spend in seeking of their smarte
And which of follies is the chiefe,
They wooe their woe, they wedde their griefe.
All finde it so who wedded are,
Loues sweetes they find enfold sowre care:
His pleasures pleasingst in the eie,
Which tasted once, with lothing die:
They find of follies tis the chiefe,
Their woe to wooe to wedde their griefe.
Loues sweetes they find enfold sowre care:
His pleasures pleasingst in the eie,
Which tasted once, with lothing die:
They find of follies tis the chiefe,
Their woe to wooe to wedde their griefe.
If for their owne content they choose,
Forthwith their kindreds loue they loose:
And if their kindred they content,
For euer after they repent.
O tis of all our follies chiefe,
Our woe to wooe to wedde our griefe.
Forthwith their kindreds loue they loose:
And if their kindred they content,
For euer after they repent.
O tis of all our follies chiefe,
Our woe to wooe to wedde our griefe.
In bed what strifes are bred by day,
Our puling wiues doe open lay:
None friendes none foes we must esteeme,
But whome they so vouchsafe to deeme:
O tis of all our follies chiefe,
Our woe to wooe to wedde our griefe.
Our puling wiues doe open lay:
None friendes none foes we must esteeme,
But whome they so vouchsafe to deeme:
O tis of all our follies chiefe,
Our woe to wooe to wedde our griefe.
Their smiles we want if ought they want,
And either we their wils must grant,
Or die they will or are with child,
Their longings must not be beguild:
O tis of all our follies chiefe,
Our woe to woo to wedde our griefe.
And either we their wils must grant,
Or die they will or are with child,
Their longings must not be beguild:
O tis of all our follies chiefe,
Our woe to woo to wedde our griefe.
487
Foule wiues are iealous, faire wiues false,
Mariage to either bindes vs thrall:
Wherefore being bound we must obey,
And forced be perforce to say:
Of all our blisse it is the chiefe,
Our woe to wooe to wed our griefe.
Mariage to either bindes vs thrall:
Wherefore being bound we must obey,
And forced be perforce to say:
Of all our blisse it is the chiefe,
Our woe to wooe to wed our griefe.
47.
[Once did I loue and yet I liue]
Once did I loue and yet I liue,
Though loue & truth be now forgotten.
Then did I ioy nowe doe I grieue,
That holy vows must needs be broken.
Though loue & truth be now forgotten.
Then did I ioy nowe doe I grieue,
That holy vows must needs be broken.
Hers be the blame that caus'd it so,
Mine be the griefe though it be little,
Shee shall haue shame I cause to know:
What tis to loue a dame so fickle.
Mine be the griefe though it be little,
Shee shall haue shame I cause to know:
What tis to loue a dame so fickle.
Loue her that list I am content,
For that Camelion like shee changeth,
Yeelding such mistes as may preuent:
My sight to view her when she rangeth.
For that Camelion like shee changeth,
Yeelding such mistes as may preuent:
My sight to view her when she rangeth.
Let him not vaunt that gaines my losse,
For when that he and time hath prou'd her,
Shee may him bring to weeping crosse:
I say no more because I lou'd her.
For when that he and time hath prou'd her,
Shee may him bring to weeping crosse:
I say no more because I lou'd her.
48.
[Where lingring feare doth once posses the hart]
Where lingring feare doth once posses the hart,
There is the toong
Forst to prolong,
& smother vp his suite, while that his smart,
Like fire supprest, flames more in euery part.
There is the toong
Forst to prolong,
& smother vp his suite, while that his smart,
Like fire supprest, flames more in euery part.
Who dares not speake deserues not his desire,
The Boldest face,
Findeth most grace:
Though women loue that men should thē admire,
They slily laugh at him dares come no higher.
The Boldest face,
Findeth most grace:
Though women loue that men should thē admire,
They slily laugh at him dares come no higher.
488
Some thinke a glaunce expressed by a sigh,
Winning the field,
Maketh them yeeld:
But while these glauncing fooles do rowle the eie,
They beate the bush, away the bird doth flie.
Winning the field,
Maketh them yeeld:
But while these glauncing fooles do rowle the eie,
They beate the bush, away the bird doth flie.
A gentle hart in vertuous breast doth stay,
Pitty doth dwell,
In beauties cell:
A womans hart doth not thogh tong say nay
Repentance taught me this the other day.
Pitty doth dwell,
In beauties cell:
A womans hart doth not thogh tong say nay
Repentance taught me this the other day.
Which had I wist I presently had got,
The pleasing fruite,
Of my long suite:
But time hath now beguild me of this lot,
For that by his foretop I tooke him not.
The pleasing fruite,
Of my long suite:
But time hath now beguild me of this lot,
For that by his foretop I tooke him not.
49.
[Hero care not though they prie]
Hero care not though they prie,
I will loue thee till I die,
Ielousie is but a smart,
That tormentes a ielous hart:
Crowes are blacke that were white,
For betraying loues delight.
I will loue thee till I die,
Ielousie is but a smart,
That tormentes a ielous hart:
Crowes are blacke that were white,
For betraying loues delight.
They that loue to finde a fault,
May repent what they haue sought,
What the fond eie hath not view'd,
Neuer wretched hart hath rew'd:
Vulcan then, prou'd a scorne,
When he saw he wore a horne.
May repent what they haue sought,
What the fond eie hath not view'd,
Neuer wretched hart hath rew'd:
Vulcan then, prou'd a scorne,
When he saw he wore a horne.
Doth it then by might behoue,
To shut vp the gates of loue,
Women are not kept by force,
But by natures owne remorse.
If they list, they will stray,
Who can hold that will away.
To shut vp the gates of loue,
Women are not kept by force,
But by natures owne remorse.
If they list, they will stray,
Who can hold that will away.
Ioue in golden shower obtain'd,
His loue in a towre restrain'd,
So perhaps if I could doe,
I might hold my sweete loue to:
Gold keepe out at the doore,
I haue loue that conquers more.
His loue in a towre restrain'd,
So perhaps if I could doe,
I might hold my sweete loue to:
Gold keepe out at the doore,
I haue loue that conquers more.
489
Wherefore did they not suspect,
When it was to some effect,
Euery little glimmering sparke,
Is perceiued in the darke:
This is right, howlets kinde,
See by night, by day be blinde.
When it was to some effect,
Euery little glimmering sparke,
Is perceiued in the darke:
This is right, howlets kinde,
See by night, by day be blinde.
50.
[When loue on time and measure makes his ground]
When loue on time and measure makes his ground,
Time that must end though loue can neuer die,
Tis loue betwixt a shadow and a sound,
A loue not in the hart but in the eie,
A loue that ebbes and flowes now vp now downe,
A mornings fauor and an euenings frowne.
Time that must end though loue can neuer die,
Tis loue betwixt a shadow and a sound,
A loue not in the hart but in the eie,
A loue that ebbes and flowes now vp now downe,
A mornings fauor and an euenings frowne.
Sweete lookes shew loue, yet they are but as beames,
Faire wordes seeme true, yet they are but as wind,
Eies shed their teares yet are but outward streames:
Sighes paint a sadnes in the falsest minde.
Lookes, wordes, teares, sighes, shew loue when loue they leaue,
False harts can weepe, sigh, sweare, and yet deceiue.
Faire wordes seeme true, yet they are but as wind,
Eies shed their teares yet are but outward streames:
Sighes paint a sadnes in the falsest minde.
Lookes, wordes, teares, sighes, shew loue when loue they leaue,
False harts can weepe, sigh, sweare, and yet deceiue.
51.
[Women, what are they, changing weather-cocks]
Women, what are they, changing weather-cocks,
That smallest puffes of lust haue power to turne,
Women what are they, vertues stumbling blockes,
Whereat weake fooles doe fall, the wiser spurne,
Wee men, what are wee, fooles and idle boies,
To spend our time in sporting with such toies.
That smallest puffes of lust haue power to turne,
Women what are they, vertues stumbling blockes,
Whereat weake fooles doe fall, the wiser spurne,
Wee men, what are wee, fooles and idle boies,
To spend our time in sporting with such toies.
Women what are they? trees whose outward rinde,
Makes shew for faire when inward hart is hollow:
Women what are they? beasts of Hiænaes kinde,
That speak those fairst, whō most they meane to swallow:
We men what are wee? fooles and idle boies,
To spend our time in sporting with such toies.
Makes shew for faire when inward hart is hollow:
Women what are they? beasts of Hiænaes kinde,
That speak those fairst, whō most they meane to swallow:
We men what are wee? fooles and idle boies,
To spend our time in sporting with such toies.
Women what are they? rocks vpon the coast,
Where on we suffer shipwracke at our landing:
Women what are they? patient creatures most,
That rather yeld thē striue gainst ought withstāding
We men what are wee? fooles and idle boies,
To spend our time in sporting with such toies.
Where on we suffer shipwracke at our landing:
490
That rather yeld thē striue gainst ought withstāding
We men what are wee? fooles and idle boies,
To spend our time in sporting with such toies.
52.
[If fathers knew but how to leaue]
If fathers knew but how to leaue
Their children wit as they do wealth,
& could constraine them to receiue
That physicke which brings perfect health,
Ye world would not admiring stand,
A womans face and womans hand.
Their children wit as they do wealth,
& could constraine them to receiue
That physicke which brings perfect health,
Ye world would not admiring stand,
A womans face and womans hand.
Women confesse they must obey,
We men will needes be seruants still:
We kisse their hands and what they say,
We must commend bee 't neuer so ill.
Thus we like fooles admiring stand,
Her pretty foote and pretty hand.
We men will needes be seruants still:
We kisse their hands and what they say,
We must commend bee 't neuer so ill.
Thus we like fooles admiring stand,
Her pretty foote and pretty hand.
We blame their pride which we increase,
By making mountaines of a mouse:
We praise because we know we please:
Poore women are too credulous
To thinke that we admiring stand,
Or foote, or face, or foolish hand.
By making mountaines of a mouse:
We praise because we know we please:
Poore women are too credulous
To thinke that we admiring stand,
Or foote, or face, or foolish hand.
53.
[The fountaines smoake, and yet no flames they shewe]
The fountaines smoake, and yet no flames they shewe,
Starres shine all night, though undesern'd by day,
And trees doe spring, yet are not seene to growe,
And shadowes moove, although they seeme to stay,
In Winter's woe is buried Summer's blisse,
And Love loves most, when Love most secret is.
Starres shine all night, though undesern'd by day,
And trees doe spring, yet are not seene to growe,
And shadowes moove, although they seeme to stay,
In Winter's woe is buried Summer's blisse,
And Love loves most, when Love most secret is.
The stillest streames descries the greatest deepe,
The clearest skie is subject to a shower,
Conceit's most sweete, whenas it seemes to sleepe,
And fairest dayes doe in the morning lower;
The silent groves sweete nimphes they cannot misse,
For Love loves most, where Love most secret is.
The clearest skie is subject to a shower,
Conceit's most sweete, whenas it seemes to sleepe,
And fairest dayes doe in the morning lower;
The silent groves sweete nimphes they cannot misse,
For Love loves most, where Love most secret is.
491
The rarest jewels hidden vertue yeeld,
The sweete of traffique is a secret gaine,
The yeere once old doth shew a barren field,
And plants seeme dead, and yet they spring againe;
Cupid is blind, the reason why is this:
Love loveth most, where Love most secret is.
The sweete of traffique is a secret gaine,
The yeere once old doth shew a barren field,
And plants seeme dead, and yet they spring againe;
Cupid is blind, the reason why is this:
Love loveth most, where Love most secret is.
| The complete works of John Lyly | |