But thy eternal summer shall not fade So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, 19 TO HIS LOVE When in the chronicle of wasted time Then in the blazon of sweet beauty's best So all their praises are but prophecies For we, which now behold these present days, Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise. W. SHAKESPEARE 20 LOVE'S PERJURIES On a day, alack the day! Love, whose month is ever May, Playing in the wanton air : Through the velvet leaves the wind, That the lover, sick to death, Ne'er to pluck thee from thy thorn : Do not call it sin in me That I am forsworn for thee: Thou for whom e'en Jove would swear Juno but an Ethiope were, And deny himself for Jove, Turning mortal for thy love. W. SHAKESPEARE 21 A SUPPLICATION Forget not yet the tried intent Forget not yet! Forget not yet when first began The weary life ye know, since whan The suit, the service none tell can; Forget not yet! Forget not yet the great assays, Forget not yet! Forget not! O, forget not this, Forget not yet! Forget not then thine own approved SIR T. WYAT 22 TO AURORA O if thou knew'st how thou thyself dost harm, And dost prejudge thy bliss, and spoil my rest; Then thou would'st melt the ice out of thy breast And thy relenting heart would kindly warm. O if thy pride did not our joys controul, What world of loving wonders should'st thou see! Then all my thoughts should in thy visage shine, And if that aught mischanced thou should'st not moan Nor bear the burthen of thy griefs alone; No, I would have my share in what were thine : And whilst we thus should make our sorrows one, W. ALEXANDER, EARL OF STERLINE 23 TRUE LOVE Let me not to the marriage of true minds O no! it is an ever-fixéd mark That looks on tempests, and is never shaken ; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks If this be error, and upon me proved, W. SHAKESPEARE 24 A DITTY My true-love hath my heart, and I have his, His heart in me keeps him and me in one, I cherish his because in me it bides: My true-love hath my heart, and I have his. SIR P. SIDNEY 25 LOVE'S OMNIPRESENCE Were I as base as is the lowly plain, And you, my Love, as high as heaven above, Were I as high as heaven above the plain, Were you the earth, dear Love, and I the skies, Till heaven wax'd blind, and till the world were done. Whereso'er I am, below, or else above you, Whereso'er you are, my heart shall truly love you. J. SYLVESTER 26 CARPE DIEM O Mistress mine, where are you roaming? Every wise man's son doth know. What is love? 'tis not hereafter; W. SHAKESPEARE 27 WINTER When icicles hang by the wall And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And milk comes frozen home in pail ; Tuwhit! tuwhoo! A merry note ! |