I THE UNDERTAKING HAVE DONE one braver thing And yet a braver thence doth spring, It were but madness now to impart When he, which can have learn'd the art So, if I now should utter this, But he, who loveliness within Hath found, all outward loathes : For he, who colour loves and skin, Loves but their oldest clothes. If, as I have, you also do Virtue in woman see, And dare love that, and say so too, And if this love, though placed so, Or, if they do, deride, Then you have done a braver thing BREAK OF DAY TAY, O SWEET! and do not rise! STAY, The light that shines comes from thine eyes : The day breaks not; it is my heart, Because that you and I must part. Stay! or else my joys will die, 'Tis true, 'tis day: what though it be? Love, which in spite of darkness brought us hither, Light hath no tongue, but is all eye : And that I loved my heart and honour so Must business thee from hence remove? Oh, that's the worst disease of love. The poor, the false, the foul, love can Admit, but not the busied man. He which hath business, and makes love, doth do Such wrong as when a married man should woo. BEN JONSON UP EPITHALAMION P! youths and virgins! up, and praise Could never boast of brighter lights, Two of your troop, that with the morn were free, And what they are, If you'll perfection see, Yourselves must be. Shine, Hesperus ! shine forth, thou wished star! What joy or honours can compare Of years, of states, of hands, of hearts; and spousèd have the foremost voice? Such, glad of Hymen's war, Live what they are And long perfection see: And such ours be. Shine, Hesperus ! shine forth, thou wished star! The solemn state of this one night But there are rites behind Have less of state and more of kind : And fruitful harvest of his mother's blisses. Who will perfection see May haste to be. Shine, Hesperus! shine forth, thou wished star! Love's Commonwealth consists of toys; Games, Laughter, Sports, Delights, For now their reign begins, and lasts till day. And in that jar Make all, that married be, Perfection see. Shine, Hesperus ! shine forth, thou wished star! Why stays the bridegroom to invade Good-night! whilst yet we may Good-night to you a virgin say. Your mother is, and use a nobler name! Speed well in Hymen's war, That what you are, By your perfection, we And all may see! Shine, Hesperus! shine forth, thou wished star! To-night is Venus' vigil kept, This night no bridegroom ever slept; The married say 'tis his fault too. Wake too, for they 'll tell nothing of your nights, You perfect are; And such perfection we Do pray should be. Shine, Hesperus ! shine forth, thou wished star! That, ere the rosy-finger'd Morn Of Ratcliffe's blood and Ramsay's name ; Wear the long honours of his father's deed. Such fruits of Hymen's war Most perfect are : And all perfection we Wish you should see. Shine, Hesperus ! shine forth, thou wished star! |