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The Shepherd's Garden

By William Davies

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COUNSEL TO THE LOVER OF A LIGHT MISTRESS.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


88

COUNSEL TO THE LOVER OF A LIGHT MISTRESS.

Thou hapless lover, born to kiss
The shadow of a vacant bliss
With bitter tears that still do flow,
If thou wouldst wearying sorrow miss,
Bid Love farewell, and let him go.
There is no worth in womankind
To leave thy wealth of peace behind;
For though her beauties thou may'st know,
Yet who shall all her failings find?
Then give good-bye, and let her go.
If thou with prayers and tears wilt try
To gain her graces presently,
Think not to reach those favours so;
For she will lightly pass them by:
Then bid farewell, and let her go.
What thou dost wish she will refuse,
What thou wilt not that will she choose;
She smiles when as thy tears do flow;
Thy love and faith she will abuse:
Then bid good-bye, and let her go.

89

Think not because her cruelty
Is subtly hid from every eye,
Her heart doth any pity know,
Whose very sweetness is a lie;
But say good-bye, and let her go.
Though she her favours freely fling
It is not for remembering;
For she will flout both high and low,
And of their woes will gaily sing;
So give good-bye, and let her go.
Trust not her eyes, although they look
Into thy soul as in a book:
Their light is but a lamp to show
The bait upon the biting hook;
But give good-bye, and let her go.
What though Love's wing do lightly stir
At every sugared breath of her,
And when she speaks he bend his bow,
Hold not her wiles thy lawgiver;
But bid good-bye, and let her go.
Should she with smiles and tears together,
Protest to love through every weather

90

Whilst stars are bright and winds do blow,
Yet weigh not thou her words a feather;
But say good-bye, and let her go.
Far better thou shouldst hold thee one
Whom Love denies, than mope and moan
For her whom Love can never know:
Then leave those icy sweets alone:
Say once good-bye, and let her go.
Nor grieve thee if she break her faith;
Sworn and despisèd in a breath,
But count it gain to lose her so;
And Love shall gladden at his death
To say farewell and let her go.