Songs and Sonets

Note

The good-morrow.

I WONDER by my troth, what thou, and I

Did, till we lov'd? were we not wean'd till then?

But suck'd on countrey pleasures, childishly?

Or snorted we in the seaven sleepers den?

5T'was so; But this, all pleasures fancies bee.

If ever any beauty I did see,

Which I desir'd, and got, t'was but a dreame of thee.

And now good morrow to our waking soules,

Which watch not one another out of feare;

10For love, all love of other sights controules,

And makes one little roome, an every where.

Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,

Let Maps to other, worlds on worlds have showne,

Let us possesse one world, each hath one, and is one.

15My face in thine eye, thine in mine appeares,

And true plaine hearts doe in the faces rest,

Where can we finde two better hemispheares

Without sharpe North, without declining West?

What ever dyes, was not mixt equally;

20If our two loves be one, or, thou and I

Love so alike, that none doe slacken, none can die.

SONGS AND SONETS. 1635-69: no division into sections, 1633

The good-morrow. 1633-69, A18, L74, N, TCC, TCD: no title, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S: Elegie. S96

2 lov'd? 1639-69: lov'd, 1633-35

3 countrey pleasures, childishly? 1633-54, D, H40, H49, Lec: childish pleasures seelily? 1669, A18, A25, B, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC

4 snorted 1633-54, D, H40, H49, Lec, O'F, S96: slumbred 1669, A18, A25, JC, L74, N, P, TC seaven sleepers 1633: seven-sleepers 1635-69

5 this,] as 1669

10 For 1633-69, D, H40, H49, Lec: But rest of MSS.

13 to other, worlds on 1633-54: to other worlds our 1669: to others, worlds on D, H49, Lec, and other MSS.

14 one world 1633-69, D, H49, Lec: our world rest of MSS.

17 better 1633, D, H40, H49, Lec: fitter 1635-69, and rest of MSS.

19 was not] is not 1669

20-1 or, thou and I ... can die. 1633, D, H40, H49, Lec: or, thou and I ... can slacken, ... can die. Chambers:

both thou and I

Love just alike in all, none of these loves can die.

1635-69, JC, O'F, P:

or thou and I

Love just alike in all, none of these loves can die.

A18, A25, B, L74, S96, TC

As thou and I &c.

H40:

And thou and I &c.

S

Song.

Note
Music

G OE, and catche a falling starre,

Get with child a mandrake roote,

Tell me, where all past yeares are,

Or who cleft the Divels foot,

5Teach me to heare Mermaides singing,

Or to keep off envies stinging,
And finde
What winde

Serves to advance an honest minde.

10If thou beest borne to strange sights,

Things invisible to see,

Ride ten thousand daies and nights,

Till age snow white haires on thee,

Thou, when thou retorn'st, wilt tell mee

15All strange wonders that befell thee,

And sweare
No where

Lives a woman true, and faire.

If thou findst one, let mee know,

20Such a Pilgrimage were sweet;

Yet doe not, I would not goe,

Though at next doore wee might meet,

Though shee were true, when you met her,

And last, till you write your letter,

25Yet shee
Will bee

False, ere I come, to two, or three.

Song. 1633-69: Song, A Songe, or no title, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD

3 past yeares] times past 1669: past times P

11 to see] go see 1669, S, S96: see most other MSS.

20 sweet; 1669: sweet, 1633-54

24 last, till] last so till O'F, S, S96

27 False, ... three] False, ere she come to two or three. 1669]

Womans constancy.

N OW thou hast lov'd me one whole day,

To morrow when thou leav'st, what wilt thou say?

Wilt thou then Antedate some new made vow?

Or say that now

5We are not just those persons, which we were?

Or, that oathes made in reverentiall feare

Of Love, and his wrath, any may forsweare?

Or, as true deaths, true maryages untie,

So lovers contracts, images of those,

10Binde but till sleep, deaths image, them unloose?

Or, your owne end to Justifie,

For having purpos'd change, and falsehood; you

Can have no way but falsehood to be true?

Vaine lunatique, against these scapes I could

15Dispute, and conquer, if I would,
Which I abstaine to doe,

For by to morrow, I may thinke so too.

Womans constancy. 1633-69, A18, L74, N, O'F, TCC, TCD: no title, B, D, H40, H49, Lec, P, S

8 Or, 1633, 1669: For, 1635-54 (ll. 8-10 in brackets)

Note

The undertaking.

I HAVE done one braver thing

Then all the Worthies did,

And yet a braver thence doth spring,

Which is, to keepe that hid.

5It were but madnes now t'impart

The skill of specular stone,

When he which can have learn'd the art

To cut it, can finde none.

So, if I now should utter this,

10Others (because no more

Such stuffe to worke upon, there is,)

Would love but as before.

But he who lovelinesse within

Hath found, all outward loathes,

15For he who colour loves, and skinne,

Loves but their oldest clothes.

If, as I have, you also doe

Vertue'attir'd in woman see,

And dare love that, and say so too,

20And forget the Hee and Shee;

And if this love, though placed so,

From prophane men you hide,

Which will no faith on this bestow,

Or, if they doe, deride:

25Then you have done a braver thing

Then all the Worthies did;

And a braver thence will spring,

Which is, to keepe that hid.

The undertaking. 1635-69: no title, 1633, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S: Platonique Love. A18, N, TCC, TCD

2 Worthies] worthies 1633

3 And yet] Yet B, D, H49, Lec

7-8 art ... it, 1669: art, ... it 1633-54

16 their] her B

18 Vertue'attir'd in 1633, A18, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, S, TC: Vertue in 1635-69, O'F, Chambers

26 did; Ed: did. 1633-39: did, 1650-69

27 spring,] spring 1633-39

Note

The Sunne Rising.

BUSIE old foole, unruly Sunne,
Why dost thou thus,

Through windowes, and through curtaines call on us?

Must to thy motions lovers seasons run?

5Sawcy pedantique wretch, goe chide
Late schoole boyes, and sowre prentices,
Goe tell Court-huntsmen, that the King will ride,
Call countrey ants to harvest offices;

Love, all alike, no season knowes, nor clyme,

10Nor houres, dayes, moneths, which are the rags of time.

Thy beames, so reverend, and strong
Why shouldst thou thinke?

I could eclipse and cloud them with a winke,

But that I would not lose her sight so long:

15If her eyes have not blinded thine,
Looke, and to morrow late, tell mee,
Whether both the'India's of spice and Myne
Be where thou leftst them, or lie here with mee.

Aske for those Kings whom thou saw'st yesterday,

20And thou shalt heare, All here in one bed lay.

She'is all States, and all Princes, I,
Nothing else is.

Princes doe but play us; compar'd to this,

All honor's mimique; All wealth alchimie.

25Thou sunne art halfe as happy'as wee,
In that the world's contracted thus;
Thine age askes ease, and since thy duties bee
To warme the world, that's done in warming us.

Shine here to us, and thou art every where;

30This bed thy center is, these walls, thy spheare.

The Sunne Rising. 1633-69: Sunne Rising. A18, L74, N, TCC, TCD: Ad Solem. A25, D, H49, JC, O'F, S, S96: To the Sunne. Cy, Lec, O'F (as a second title): no title, B

3 call] look 1669

6 and] or 1669

sowre] slowe B, Cy, P

8 offices;] offices, 1633

11-14 Thy beames, ... so long: 1633 and all MSS.:

Thy beames so reverend, and strong
Dost thou not thinke
I could eclipse and cloude them with a winke,
But that I would not lose her sight so long? 1635-69

17 spice] space 1650-54

18 leftst 1633: left 1635-69

23 us;] us, 1633

24 wealth] wealth's A25, C, P

alchimie. Ed: alchimie; 1633-69

26 thus; Ed: thus. 1633-69

Note

The Indifferent.

I CAN love both faire and browne,

Her whom abundance melts, and her whom want betraies,

Her who loves lonenesse best, and her who maskes and plaies,

Her whom the country form'd, and whom the town,

5Her who beleeves, and her who tries,

Her who still weepes with spungie eyes,

And her who is dry corke, and never cries;

I can love her, and her, and you and you,

I can love any, so she be not true.

10Will no other vice content you?

Wil it not serve your turn to do, as did your mothers?

Or have you all old vices spent, and now would finde out others?

Or doth a feare, that men are true, torment you?

Oh we are not, be not you so,

15Let mee, and doe you, twenty know.

Rob mee, but binde me not, and let me goe.

Must I, who came to travaile thorow you,

Grow your fixt subject, because you are true?

Venus heard me sigh this song,

20And by Loves sweetest Part, Variety, she swore,

She heard not this till now; and that it should be so no more.

She went, examin'd, and return'd ere long,

And said, alas, Some two or three

Poore Heretiques in love there bee,

25Which thinke to stablish dangerous constancie.

But I have told them, since you will be true,

You shall be true to them, who'are false to you.

The Indifferent. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: A Songe, Songe, or no title, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, S96: Sonnet. P

3 lonenesse] lovers 1669

maskes] sports 1669, S

and 1669: & 1633-39: om. 1650-54

12 spent] worn 1669

15 mee, 1633: me; 1635-69

17 travaile] spelt travell, travel 1635-69

19 sigh] sing 1669

20 sweetest Part,] sweetest sweet, 1669, P, S

21 and that it 1633, B, D, H49, Lec, S: it 1635-69, H40, P: and it A18, JC, N, O'F, S96, TC

Note

Loves Vsury.

F OR every houre that thou wilt spare mee now,

I will allow,

Usurious God of Love, twenty to thee,

When with my browne, my gray haires equall bee;

5Till then, Love, let my body raigne, and let

Mee travell, sojourne, snatch, plot, have, forget,

Resume my last yeares relict: thinke that yet

We'had never met.

Let mee thinke any rivalls letter mine,

10And at next nine

Keepe midnights promise; mistake by the way

The maid, and tell the Lady of that delay;

Onely let mee love none, no, not the sport;

From country grasse, to comfitures of Court,

15Or cities quelque choses, let report

My minde transport.

This bargaine's good; if when I'am old, I bee

Inflam'd by thee,

If thine owne honour, or my shame, or paine,

20Thou covet most, at that age thou shalt gaine.

Doe thy will then, then subject and degree,

And fruit of love, Love I submit to thee,

Spare mee till then, I'll beare it, though she bee

One that loves mee.

Loves Vsury. 1633-69, L74: no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, O'F, P, S: Elegie. S96

5 raigne, 1633, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, P, S: range, 1635-69, O'F, S96. See note

6 snatch, 1633, 1669: match, 1635-54

7 relict] relique 1669

12 that] her 1669

13 sport; 1669: sport 1633-54: sport, most MSS.

15 let report 1633, 1669, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, P, S: let not report 1635-54, O'F, S96, Chambers. See note

19 or paine 1633, 1669, and most MSS.: and paine 1635-54, O'F

22 fruit] fruites B, D, H49, Lec, O'F, S96

24 loves 1633, 1669 and all the MSS.: love 1635-54

Note

The Canonization.

F OR Godsake hold your tongue, and let me love,

Or chide my palsie, or my gout,

My five gray haires, or ruin'd fortune flout,

With wealth your state, your minde with Arts improve,
5Take you a course, get you a place,
Observe his honour, or his grace,

Or the Kings reall, or his stamped face

Contemplate, what you will, approve,
So you will let me love.

10Alas, alas, who's injur'd by my love?

What merchants ships have my sighs drown'd?

Who saies my teares have overflow'd his ground?

When did my colds a forward spring remove?
When did the heats which my veines fill
15Adde one more to the plaguie Bill?

Soldiers finde warres, and Lawyers finde out still

Litigious men, which quarrels move,
Though she and I do love.

Call us what you will, wee are made such by love;

20Call her one, mee another flye,

We'are Tapers too, and at our owne cost die,

And wee in us finde the'Eagle and the Dove.
The Phœnix ridle hath more wit
By us, we two being one, are it.

25So to one neutrall thing both sexes fit,

Wee dye and rise the same, and prove
Mysterious by this love.

Wee can dye by it, if not live by love,

And if unfit for tombes and hearse

30Our legend bee, it will be fit for verse;

And if no peece of Chronicle wee prove,
We'll build in sonnets pretty roomes;
As well a well wrought urne becomes

The greatest ashes, as halfe-acre tombes,

35And by these hymnes, all shall approve
Us Canoniz'd for Love:

And thus invoke us; You whom reverend love

Made one anothers hermitage;

You, to whom love was peace, that now is rage;

40Who did the whole worlds soule contract, and drove
Into the glasses of your eyes
(So made such mirrors, and such spies,

That they did all to you epitomize,)

Countries, Townes, Courts: Beg from above
45A patterne of your love!

The Canonization. 1633-39, A18, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, TCC, TCD: Canonization. 1650-69, S: Canonizatio. S96: no title, B, H40, JC

3 five 1633, 1669: true 1635-54

fortune] fortunes 1669

4 improve, 1650-69: improve 1633-39

7 reall] Roiall Lec

14 veines] reynes 1669

15 more, 1633-54, Lec: man 1669, A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC

17 which] whom 1669

18 Though] While 1669

22 Dove. Ed: dove, 1633-69

24 are it. 1633-69: are it; Chambers and Grolier

25 So 1650-69: So, 1633-39. See note

fit, D, H49, Lec: fit. 1633-69. See note

29 tombes and 1633-54: tomb or 1669

30 legend] legends 1633

35 these 1633: those 1635-69

36 Love:] Love. 1633

39 rage; Ed: rage, 1633-69

40 contract] extract A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC

41 eyes 1633-69: eyes; Chambers

42-3 brackets, Ed

44 Courts: Beg] Courts Beg 1669: courts beg Chambers. See note

from] frow 1633

45 your 1669, A18, B, H40, JC, N, O'F, P, S96, TC: our 1633-54, D, H49, Lec

love! Ed: love. 1633-69

Note

The triple Foole.

I AM two fooles, I know,

For loving, and for saying so
In whining Poëtry;

But where's that wiseman, that would not be I,

5If she would not deny?

Then as th'earths inward narrow crooked lanes

Do purge sea waters fretfull salt away,

I thought, if I could draw my paines,

Through Rimes vexation, I should them allay,

10Griefe brought to numbers cannot be so fierce,

For, he tames it, that fetters it in verse.

But when I have done so,

Some man, his art and voice to show,

Doth Set and sing my paine,

15And, by delighting many, frees againe

Griefe, which verse did restraine.

To Love, and Griefe tribute of Verse belongs,

But not of such as pleases when'tis read,

Both are increased by such songs:

20For both their triumphs so are published,

And I, which was two fooles, do so grow three;

Who are a little wise, the best fooles bee.

The triple Foole. 1633-69, A18, L74, N, TCC, TCD: Song or no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, HN, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96

4 the wiser man, 1669

5 If he should not deny? P

6 narrow om. P: crooked om. B

lanes] vaines Cy, P

9 allay, 1633-39: allay. 1650-69, Chambers

10 numbers] number 1669

11 For, he tames it] He tames it much B

13 and] or 1669

Note

Lovers infinitenesse.

I F yet I have not all thy love,

Deare, I shall never have it all,

I cannot breath one other sigh, to move,

Nor can intreat one other teare to fall,

5And all my treasure, which should purchase thee,

Sighs, teares, and oathes, and letters I have spent.

Yet no more can be due to mee,

Then at the bargaine made was ment,

If then thy gift of love were partiall,

10That some to mee, some should to others fall,

Deare, I shall never have Thee All.

Or if then thou gavest mee all,

All was but All, which thou hadst then;

But if in thy heart, since, there be or shall,

15New love created bee, by other men,

Which have their stocks intire, and can in teares,

In sighs, in oathes, and letters outbid mee,

This new love may beget new feares,

For, this love was not vowed by thee.

20And yet it was, thy gift being generall,

The ground, thy heart is mine, what ever shall

Grow there, deare, I should have it all.

Yet I would not have all yet,

Hee that hath all can have no more,

25And since my love doth every day admit

New growth, thou shouldst have new rewards in store;

Thou canst not every day give me thy heart,

If thou canst give it, then thou never gavest it:

Loves riddles are, that though thy heart depart,

30It stayes at home, and thou with losing savest it:

But wee will have a way more liberall,

Then changing hearts, to joyne them, so wee shall

Be one, and one anothers All.

Lovers infinitenesse. 1633-69: Mon Tout. A25, C: no title, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S: Elegie. S96

Query Loves infinitenesse.

3 move, Ed: move; 1633-69

4 fall, Ed: fall. 1633: fall; 1635-69

6 teares,] teares 1633

spent. Ed: spent, 1633-69 and Grolier: spent; Chambers

8 Then 1633-35, 1669: That 1639-54

9 were] was 1669

partiall] generall A25, C

11 Thee 1633: It 1635-69 (it 1669)

12 gavest] givest 1669

13 then; 1635-54: then, 1633

17 and letters 1633: in letters 1635-69

19 thee. 1639-69: thee, 1633-35

20 it] is 1633

21 is 1633, 1669: was 1635-54

25-6 And since my heart doth every day beget New love, &c. A25.

29-30

Except mine come when thine doth part

And in such giving it, thou savest it: A25, C

Perchance mine comes, when thine doth parte,

And by such losing it, &c. JC

31 have] love 1669: find A25, C

32 them] us 1669

Song.

Note

S WEETEST love, I do not goe,

For wearinesse of thee,

Nor in hope the world can show

A fitter Love for mee;
5But since that I

Must dye at last, 'tis best,

To use my selfe in jest

Thus by fain'd deaths to dye;

Yesternight the Sunne went hence,

10And yet is here to day,

He hath no desire nor sense,

Nor halfe so short a way:
Then feare not mee,

But beleeve that I shall make

15Speedier journeyes, since I take

More wings and spurres then hee.

O how feeble is mans power,

That if good fortune fall,

Cannot adde another houre,

20Nor a lost houre recall!
But come bad chance,

And wee joyne to'it our strength,

And wee teach it art and length,

It selfe o'r us to'advance.

25When thou sigh'st, thou sigh'st not winde,

But sigh'st my soule away,

When thou weep'st, unkindly kinde,

My lifes blood doth decay.
It cannot bee

30That thou lov'st mee, as thou say'st,

If in thine my life thou waste,

Thou art the best of mee.

Let not thy divining heart

Forethinke me any ill,

35Destiny may take thy part,

And may thy feares fulfill;
But thinke that wee

Are but turn'd aside to sleepe;

They who one another keepe

40Alive, ne'r parted bee.

Song. 1633-69: Song. or no title, A18, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: in A18, N, TCC, TCD, this with Send home my long stray'd eyes and The Bait are given as Songs which were made to certain ayres which were made before.

1-4 In most MSS. these lines are written as two long lines, and so with ll. 9-12, 17-20, 25-28, 33-36

4 mee; 1650-69: mee, 1633-39

5-8 But since ... dye; 1633, A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, P, S, S96, TC:

At the last must part 'tis best,

Thus to use my selfe in jest

By fained deaths to dye; 1635-54, O'F:

Must dye at last, 'tis best,

Thus to use my self in jest

By fained death to dye; 1669

15 Speedier] Hastier 1669

20 recall! Ed: recall? 1633-69

25 not wind 1633: no wind 1635-69

32 Thou 1633 and MSS. generally: That 1635-54: Which 1669

best 1633-54: life 1669

36 may 1633-35, 1669: make 1639-54

fulfill; Ed: fulfill, 1633-69

38 turn'd] lai'd 1669

Note

The Legacie.

WHEN I dyed last, and, Deare, I dye

As often as from thee I goe,
Though it be but an houre agoe,

And Lovers houres be full eternity,

5I can remember yet, that I

Something did say, and something did bestow;

Though I be dead, which sent mee, I should be

Mine owne executor and Legacie.

I heard mee say, Tell her anon,

10That my selfe, (that is you, not I,)
Did kill me, and when I felt mee dye,

I bid mee send my heart, when I was gone,

But I alas could there finde none,

When I had ripp'd me,'and search'd where hearts did lye;

15It kill'd mee againe, that I who still was true,

In life, in my last Will should cozen you.

Yet I found something like a heart,

But colours it, and corners had,
It was not good, it was not bad,

20It was intire to none, and few had part.

As good as could be made by art

It seem'd; and therefore for our losses sad,

I meant to send this heart in stead of mine,

But oh, no man could hold it, for twas thine.

The Legacie. 1633-69: Legacie. L74: Song. or no title, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96: Elegie. A18, N, TCC, TCD

1 When I dyed last,] When last I dyed, 1669

1-4 (and deare ... eternity) Grolier.

7 sent 1633, 1669: meant 1635-54

should be] might be 1669

10 that is 1635-69: that's 1633: brackets from A18, N, TC

13 none, 1633-69: none. Chambers and Grolier

14 When ... did 1633, A25 (doe), D, H40, H49, Lec, S, S96: When I had ripp'd, and search'd where hearts should 1635-69, A18, L74, N, TC lye; Ed: lye, 1633-69, Chambers and Grolier. See note

18 But] For 1650-69

20 part. 1633-39: part: 1650-69

22 seem'd; Ed: seem'd, 1633-69, Grolier, and Chambers

our losses sad, 1633-54, A18, A25, L74, N, O'F, P, S96, TC: our loss be sad, 1669: our loss be ye sad. B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, S: our losses sad; Grolier: our loss be sad. Chambers

23 meant] thought A18, L74, N, O'F, TC

this 1633: that 1635-69

Note

A Feaver.

O H doe not die, for I shall hate

All women so, when thou art gone,

That thee I shall not celebrate,

When I remember, thou wast one.

5But yet thou canst not die, I know;

To leave this world behinde, is death,

But when thou from this world wilt goe,

The whole world vapors with thy breath.

Or if, when thou, the worlds soule, goest,

10It stay, tis but thy carkasse then,

The fairest woman, but thy ghost,

But corrupt wormes, the worthyest men.

O wrangling schooles, that search what fire

Shall burne this world, had none the wit

15Unto this knowledge to aspire,

That this her feaver might be it?

And yet she cannot wast by this,

Nor long beare this torturing wrong,

For much corruption needfull is

20To fuell such a feaver long.

These burning fits but meteors bee,

Whose matter in thee is soone spent.

Thy beauty,'and all parts, which are thee,

Are unchangeable firmament.

25Yet t'was of my minde, seising thee,

Though it in thee cannot persever.

For I had rather owner bee

Of thee one houre, then all else ever.

A Feaver. 1633-69, D, H40, H49, Lec, S96: Of a fever. L74: The Fever. B, Cy, O'F, P: Fever. A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, JC

5 know; Ed: know, 1633-69

8 with] in 1669

16 might] must TCC

18 beare] endure 1669

torturing] tormenting JC, O'F (corr. from torturing)

19 For much 1633, A18, B, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, S96, TC: For more 1635-69, O'F: Far more Cy, P

22 is soon] soon is 1669

24 Are] Are an 1669, P, S96

25 Yet 'twas of 1633-54: And here as 1669

27 For] Yet 1669

Note

Aire and Angels.

TWICE or thrice had I loved thee,

Before I knew thy face or name;

So in a voice, so in a shapelesse flame,

Angells affect us oft, and worship'd bee;

5Still when, to where thou wert, I came,

Some lovely glorious nothing I did see.

But since my soule, whose child love is,

Takes limmes of flesh, and else could nothing doe,

More subtile then the parent is,

10Love must not be, but take a body too,

And therefore what thou wert, and who,
I bid Love aske, and now

That it assume thy body, I allow,

And fixe it selfe in thy lip, eye, and brow.

15Whilst thus to ballast love, I thought,

And so more steddily to have gone,

With wares which would sinke admiration,

I saw, I had loves pinnace overfraught,

Ev'ry thy haire for love to worke upon

20Is much too much, some fitter must be sought;

For, nor in nothing, nor in things

Extreme, and scatt'ring bright, can love inhere;

Then as an Angell, face, and wings

Of aire, not pure as it, yet pure doth weare,

25So thy love may be my loves spheare;
Just such disparitie

As is twixt Aire and Angells puritie,

'Twixt womens love, and mens will ever bee.

Aire and Angels. 1633-69, A18, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: no title, B, H40

4 bee; Ed: bee, 1633-69

5 came,] came 1633

6 I did] did I 1669

see. Ed: see, 1633-69

7 since Ed: since, 1633-69

11 who, Ed: who 1633-69

14 lip, eye,] lips, eyes, 1669, Chambers

19 Ev'ry thy 1633-39, A18, B (Even), D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S (Ever), S96, TC: Thy every 1650-69

22 scatt'ring Ed: scattring, 1633-35: scattering 1639-69

27 Aire 1633-54 and all MSS.: Airs 1669, Chambers

Note
Music

Breake of day.

'T IS true, 'tis day; what though it be?

O wilt thou therefore rise from me?

Why should we rise, because 'tis light?

Did we lie downe, because 'twas night?

5Love which in spight of darknesse brought us hether,

Should in despight of light keepe us together.

Light hath no tongue, but is all eye;

If it could speake as well as spie,

This were the worst, that it could say,

10That being well, I faine would stay,

And that I lov'd my heart and honor so,

That I would not from him, that had them, goe.

Must businesse thee from hence remove?

Oh, that's the worst disease of love,

15The poore, the foule, the false, love can

Admit, but not the busied man.

He which hath businesse, and makes love, doth doe

Such wrong, as when a maryed man doth wooe.

Breake of day, 1633-69, A18, L74, N, TCC, TCD: no title or Sonnet, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96: A Songe. A25

1 day;] day, 1633

5 in spight of 1633-39, 1669, A25, JC, S96: in dispight 1650-54, A18, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, N, S, TC

6 in despight 1633, 1650-69: in spight 1635-39

keepe] holde A18, L74, N, S96, TC

9 were] is A18, L74, N, O'F, S TC

11 I lov'd] I love JC, N, O'F, TC

12 him, that had them 1633-54, D, H49, Lec, S: him that had them (or it) A25, B, C, L74, N, O'F, TC: her, that had them, 1669: her that hath them B, JC (it), S96

15 foule,] foole, H40

18 as when ... doth 1633, 1669, A25, C, D, H40, H49, Lec, S, S96: as if ... should A18, B, JC, L74, N, O'F, TC: as when ... should 1635-54

Note

The Anniversarie.

A LL Kings, and all their favorites,

All glory of honors, beauties, wits,

The Sun it selfe, which makes times, as they passe,

Is elder by a yeare, now, then it was

5When thou and I first one another saw:

All other things, to their destruction draw,

Only our love hath no decay;

This, no to morrow hath, nor yesterday,

Running it never runs from us away,

10But truly keepes his first, last, everlasting day.

Two graves must hide thine and my coarse,
If one might, death were no divorce.

Alas, as well as other Princes, wee,

(Who Prince enough in one another bee,)

15Must leave at last in death, these eyes, and eares,

Oft fed with true oathes, and with sweet salt teares;

But soules where nothing dwells but love

(All other thoughts being inmates) then shall prove

This, or a love increased there above,

20When bodies to their graves, soules from their graves remove.

And then wee shall be throughly blest,
But wee no more, then all the rest;

Here upon earth, we'are Kings, and none but wee

Can be such Kings, nor of such subjects bee.

25Who is so safe as wee? where none can doe

Treason to us, except one of us two.

True and false feares let us refraine,

Let us love nobly, and live, and adde againe

Yeares and yeares unto yeares, till we attaine

30To write threescore: this is the second of our raigne.

The Anniversarie. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S: Ad Liviam. S96

3 times, as they passe, 1633, 1669 (which brackets which ... pass), MSS.: times, as these pass, 1635-54: time, as they pass, Chambers, who attributes to 1633, 1669

12 divorce. Ed: divorce, 1633-69

17 love Ed: love; 1633-69

20 to their graves] to their grave 1635-39

22 wee A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: now 1633-69. See note

rest; Ed: rest. 1633-69

23 none om. 1669, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S, S96

24 None are such Kings, 1669, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S, S96

nor] and D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S, S96, bee. Ed: bee; 1633-69

27 refraine,] refraine. 1669

30 threescore: Grolier: threescore, 1633-69

Note

A Valediction: of my name, in the window.

I.

MY name engrav'd herein,

Doth contribute my firmnesse to this glasse,

Which, ever since that charme, hath beene
As hard, as that which grav'd it, was;

5Thine eye will give it price enough, to mock

The diamonds of either rock.

II.

'Tis much that Glasse should bee

As all confessing, and through-shine as I,

'Tis more, that it shewes thee to thee,
10And cleare reflects thee to thine eye.

But all such rules, loves magique can undoe,

Here you see mee, and I am you.

III.

As no one point, nor dash,

Which are but accessaries to this name,

15The showers and tempests can outwash,
So shall all times finde mee the same;

You this intirenesse better may fulfill,

Who have the patterne with you still.

Iiii.

Or, if too hard and deepe

20This learning be, for a scratch'd name to teach,

It, as a given deaths head keepe,
Lovers mortalitie to preach,

Or thinke this ragged bony name to bee

My ruinous Anatomie.

V.

25Then, as all my soules bee,

Emparadis'd in you, (in whom alone

I understand, and grow and see,)
The rafters of my body, bone

Being still with you, the Muscle, Sinew, and Veine,

30Which tile this house, will come againe.

VI.

Till my returne, repaire

And recompact my scattered body so.

As all the vertuous powers which are
Fix'd in the starres, are said to flow

35Into such characters, as graved bee

When these starres have supremacie:

VII.

So, since this name was cut

When love and griefe their exaltation had,

No doore 'gainst this names influence shut;
40As much more loving, as more sad,

'Twill make thee; and thou shouldst, till I returne,

Since I die daily, daily mourne.

VIII.

When thy inconsiderate hand

Flings ope this casement, with my trembling name,

45To looke on one, whose wit or land,
New battry to thy heart may frame,

Then thinke this name alive, and that thou thus

In it offendst my Genius.

IX.

And when thy melted maid,

50Corrupted by thy Lover's gold, and page,

His letter at thy pillow'hath laid,
Disputed it, and tam'd thy rage,

And thou begin'st to thaw towards him, for this,

May my name step in, and hide his.

X.

55And if this treason goe

To an overt act, and that thou write againe;

In superscribing, this name flow
Into thy fancy, from the pane.

So, in forgetting thou remembrest right,

60And unaware to mee shalt write.

XI.

But glasse, and lines must bee,

No meanes our firme substantiall love to keepe;

Neere death inflicts this lethargie,
And this I murmure in my sleepe;

65Impute this idle talke, to that I goe,

For dying men talke often so.

A Valediction: Of &c. D, H49: A Valediction of &c. 1633-69, H40, Lec; Valediction of &c. A18, N, TCC, TCD: A Valediction of my name in the Glasse Window Cy: A Valediction to &c. B: Valediction 4: of Glasse O'F: Valediction in Glasse P: The Diamond and Glasse S: Vpon the ingravinge of his name with a Diamonde in his mistris windowe when he was to travel. S96 (This is added to the title in O'F.): similarly, JC

4 was; Ed: was, 1633-69

5 eye] eyes A18, B, Cy, JC, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC

8 I, 1633-54: I 1669

12 am you.] see you. 1669

14 accessaries 1633-69, O'F, S: accessary A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, P, S96, TC

15 tempests 1633, 1669: tempest 1635-54

19 Or, Ed: Or 1633-69

32 so. 1633-35: so, 1639-69, Chambers. See note

34 flow Ed: flow, 1633-69

36 these 1633: those 1635-69

have] had 1669

supremacie: 1633-69: supremacie. 1650-69. See note

37 So, Ed: So 1633-69

39 shut; Ed: shut, 1633-69

44 ope 1633-69, O'F, S96: out A18, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, P, S, TC

48 offendst] offends 1669

50 and] or 1669, JC, O'F, S96

52-3

Disputed thou it, and tame thy rage.

If thou to him begin'st to thaw for this, 1669

55 goe] growe JC, O'F, S

56 againe; 1633: againe: 1635-69

57 this] my 1669

58 pane. 1633: Pen, 1635-69, O'F, S

60 unaware] unawares B, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC

64 this] thus 1635-69, O'F, P, S, S96

Note

Twicknam garden.

B LASTED with sighs, and surrounded with teares,

Hither I come to seeke the spring,
And at mine eyes, and at mine eares,

Receive such balmes, as else cure every thing;

5But O, selfe traytor, I do bring

The spider love, which transubstantiates all,

And can convert Manna to gall,

And that this place may thoroughly be thought

True Paradise, I have the serpent brought.

10'Twere wholsomer for mee, that winter did

Benight the glory of this place,
And that a grave frost did forbid

These trees to laugh, and mocke mee to my face;

But that I may not this disgrace

15Indure, nor yet leave loving, Love let mee

Some senslesse peece of this place bee;

Make me a mandrake, so I may groane here,

Or a stone fountaine weeping out my yeare.

Hither with christall vyals, lovers come,

20And take my teares, which are loves wine,
And try your mistresse Teares at home,

For all are false, that tast not just like mine;

Alas, hearts do not in eyes shine,

Nor can you more judge womans thoughts by teares,

25Then by her shadow, what she weares.

O perverse sexe, where none is true but shee,

Who's therefore true, because her truth kills mee.

Twicknam garden. 1633-69: do. or Twitnam Garden. A18, L74 (in margin), N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD: In a Garden. B: no title, A25, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, P

3 eares] years 1669

4 balms ... cure 1633, A25, D, H49: balm ... cures 1635-69, A18, B, Cy, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC

thing; Ed: thing, 1633: thing: 1635-69

6 spider] spiders 1669

8 thoroughly 1633-39: throughly 1650-69

12 did] would A18, A25, N, TC

13 laugh,] laugh 1633

14 that I may not] since I cannot 1669

15 nor yet leave loving, 1633: om. D, H40, H49, Lec: nor leave this garden, 1635-69, A18, A25, Cy, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC

17 groane A18, D, H40, H49, N, TC: grow 1633-69, B, L74, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96

18 my yeare, 1633, 1669, D, H40, H49, Lec: the yeare. 1635-54, A18, A25, L74, N, O'F, P, TC

20 loves] lovers 1639

24 womans A18, D, H40, H49, L74, N, TC: womens 1633-69, Lec, P, S96

Note

A Valediction: of the booke.

I'LL tell thee now (deare Love) what thou shalt doe

To anger destiny, as she doth us,
How I shall stay, though she Esloygne me thus

And how posterity shall know it too;

5How thine may out-endure
Sybills glory, and obscure
Her who from Pindar could allure,
And her, through whose helpe Lucan is not lame,

And her, whose booke (they say) Homer did finde, and name.

10Study our manuscripts, those Myriades

Of letters, which have past twixt thee and mee,
Thence write our Annals, and in them will bee

To all whom loves subliming fire invades,

Rule and example found;
15There, the faith of any ground
No schismatique will dare to wound,
That sees, how Love this grace to us affords,

To make, to keep, to use, to be these his Records.

This Booke, as long-liv'd as the elements,

20Or as the worlds forme, this all-graved tome
In cypher writ, or new made Idiome,

Wee for loves clergie only'are instruments:

When this booke is made thus,
Should againe the ravenous
25Vandals and Goths inundate us,
Learning were safe; in this our Universe

Schooles might learne Sciences, Spheares Musick, Angels Verse.

Here Loves Divines, (since all Divinity

Is love or wonder) may finde all they seeke,
30Whether abstract spirituall love they like,

Their Soules exhal'd with what they do not see,

Or, loth so to amuze
Faiths infirmitie, they chuse
Something which they may see and use;
35For, though minde be the heaven, where love doth sit,

Beauty a convenient type may be to figure it.

Here more then in their bookes may Lawyers finde,

Both by what titles Mistresses are ours,
And how prerogative these states devours,

40Transferr'd from Love himselfe, to womankinde,

Who though from heart, and eyes,
They exact great subsidies,
Forsake him who on them relies,
And for the cause, honour, or conscience give,

45Chimeraes, vaine as they, or their prerogative.

Here Statesmen, (or of them, they which can reade,)

May of their occupation finde the grounds:
Love and their art alike it deadly wounds,

If to consider what 'tis, one proceed,

50In both they doe excell
Who the present governe well,
Whose weaknesse none doth, or dares tell;
In this thy booke, such will their nothing see,

As in the Bible some can finde out Alchimy.

55Thus vent thy thoughts; abroad I'll studie thee,

As he removes farre off, that great heights takes;
How great love is, presence best tryall makes,

But absence tryes how long this love will bee;

To take a latitude
60Sun, or starres, are fitliest view'd
At their brightest, but to conclude
Of longitudes, what other way have wee,

But to marke when, and where the darke eclipses bee?

A Valediction: of &c. Ed: A Valediction of the Booke A18, N, TCC, TCD: Valediction of the booke. D, H49, Lec: Valediction 3: Of the Booke O'F: The Booke Cy, P: Valediction to his booke. 1633-69, S: A Valediction of a booke left in a windowe. JC

18 Records, 1633-69: records, Grolier

20 tome 1633-35: to me 1639-54: Tomb. 1669, A18, Cy, Lec, N, S

21 Idiome, Ed: Idiome; 1633-69

22 instruments: Ed: instruments, 1633-69. See note

25 and Goths inundate us, A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, TC: and the Goths invade us, 1633-54, S: and Goths invade us, 1669, H40, JC (or), O'F, P

26 were safe; 1633: rest omit semicolon.

Universe 1633-39: Universe, 1650-69

30 abstract] abstracted 1669

32 Or, ... amuze Ed: Or ... amuze, 1633-69

33 infirmitie,] infirmities, 1669, D, H49, Lec

38 titles] titles, 1663

39 these states] those rites A18, N, TC

40 womankinde, Ed: womankinde. 1633-54: womankinde: 1669

43 relies, Ed: relies 1633: relies; 1635-69

44 give,] give; 1635-69

46 Statesmen] Tradesmen Cy, P

47 grounds: Ed: grounds, 1633-69

49 'tis, one] 'tis on 1669

53 their nothing 1635-54, A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC (nothings), Lec, N, O'F, S, TC (but the MSS. waver between their and there): there something 1633, 1669, P

55 vent 1633, 1669: went 1635-54

thoughts; abroad] thoughts abroad: 1669

56 great heights] shadows O'F

63 1669 omits darke

Communitie.

G OOD wee must love, and must hate ill,

For ill is ill, and good good still,
But there are things indifferent,

Which wee may neither hate, nor love,

But one, and then another prove,

5As wee shall finde our fancy bent.

If then at first wise Nature had

Made women either good or bad,

Then some wee might hate, and some chuse,

10But since shee did them so create,

That we may neither love, nor hate,

Onely this rests, All, all may use.

If they were good it would be seene,

Good is as visible as greene,

15And to all eyes it selfe betrayes:

If they were bad, they could not last,

Bad doth it selfe, and others wast,

So, they deserve nor blame, nor praise.

But they are ours as fruits are ours,

20He that but tasts, he that devours,

And he that leaves all, doth as well:

Chang'd loves are but chang'd sorts of meat,

And when hee hath the kernell eate,

Who doth not fling away the shell?

Communitie. 1635-69: no title, 1633, A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD

3 there 1635-69, A18, B, N, O'F, S, TC, &c.: these 1633, D, Cy, H49, Lec

7 had Ed: had, 1633-39

12 All, all 1633-54: All men 1669

15 betrayes: 1650-69: betrayes, 1633-39

21 well: Ed: well, 1633-69

Note

Loves growth.

ISCARCE beleeve my love to be so pure

As I had thought it was,
Because it doth endure

Vicissitude, and season, as the grasse;

5Me thinkes I lyed all winter, when I swore,

My love was infinite, if spring make'it more.

But if this medicine, love, which cures all sorrow

With more, not onely bee no quintessence,

But mixt of all stuffes, paining soule, or sense,

10And of the Sunne his working vigour borrow,

Love's not so pure, and abstract, as they use

To say, which have no Mistresse but their Muse,

But as all else, being elemented too,

Love sometimes would contemplate, sometimes do.

15And yet no greater, but more eminent,

Love by the spring is growne;
As, in the firmament,

Starres by the Sunne are not inlarg'd, but showne.

Gentle love deeds, as blossomes on a bough,

20From loves awakened root do bud out now.

If, as in water stir'd more circles bee

Produc'd by one, love such additions take,

Those like so many spheares, but one heaven make,

For, they are all concentrique unto thee.

25And though each spring doe adde to love new heate,

As princes doe in times of action get

New taxes, and remit them not in peace,

No winter shall abate the springs encrease.

Loves growth. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: The Spring. or Spring. B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96: no title, JC

9 paining 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S96, TC: vexing 1635-69, Cy, O'F, P, S

10 working 1633 and MSS. as above: active 1635-69 and MSS. as above

11 pure, and] pure an 1669, O'F

14 do.] do 1633

18-19 Starres ... showne. Gentle love Ed: Starres ... showne, Gentle love 1633-69:

Stars are not by the sunne enlarg'd; but showne

Greater; Loves deeds P. See note

24 thee. Ed: thee, 1633-69

28 the 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, S96, TC: this 1635-69, Cy, O'F, P, S

Note

Loves exchange.

LOVE, any devill else but you,

Would for a given Soule give something too.

At Court your fellowes every day,

Give th'art of Riming, Huntsmanship, or Play,

5For them which were their owne before;

Onely I have nothing which gave more,

But am, alas, by being lowly, lower.

I aske no dispensation now

To falsifie a teare, or sigh, or vow,

10I do not sue from thee to draw

A non obstante on natures law,

These are prerogatives, they inhere

In thee and thine; none should forsweare

Except that hee Loves minion were.

15Give mee thy weaknesse, make mee blinde,

Both wayes, as thou and thine, in eies and minde;

Love, let me never know that this

Is love, or, that love childish is;

Let me not know that others know

20That she knowes my paines, least that so

A tender shame make me mine owne new woe.

If thou give nothing, yet thou'art just,

Because I would not thy first motions trust;

Small townes which stand stiffe, till great shot

25Enforce them, by warres law condition not.

Such in loves warfare is my case,

I may not article for grace,

Having put Love at last to shew this face.

This face, by which he could command

30And change the Idolatrie of any land,

This face, which wheresoe'r it comes,

Can call vow'd men from cloisters, dead from tombes,

And melt both Poles at once, and store

Deserts with cities, and make more

35Mynes in the earth, then Quarries were before.

For this, Love is enrag'd with mee,

Yet kills not. If I must example bee

To future Rebells; If th'unborne

Must learne, by my being cut up, and torne:

40Kill, and dissect me, Love; for this

Torture against thine owne end is,

Rack't carcasses make ill Anatomies.

Loves exchange. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P

4 or] and most MSS.

Play D: play 1633-69

9 or sigh, or vow, 1633-54: a sigh, a vow, 1669

18 is; Ed: is. 1633-69

20 paines] paine A18, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, TC

21 1669 omits new

28 Love D: love 1633-69

this] his 1669

36 For this, Ed: For, this 1633-69

Love D: love 1633-69

37 not. If Ed: not; if 1633-39: not: if 1650-69

Note

Confined Love.

SOME man unworthy to be possessor

Of old or new love, himselfe being false or weake,
Thought his paine and shame would be lesser,

If on womankind he might his anger wreake,

5And thence a law did grow,
One might but one man know;
But are other creatures so?

Are Sunne, Moone, or Starres by law forbidden,

To smile where they list, or lend away their light?

10Are birds divorc'd, or are they chidden

If they leave their mate, or lie abroad a night?

Beasts doe no joyntures lose
Though they new lovers choose,
But we are made worse then those.

15Who e'r rigg'd faire ship to lie in harbors,

And not to seeke new lands, or not to deale withall?

Or built faire houses, set trees, and arbors,

Only to lock up, or else to let them fall?

Good is not good, unlesse
20A thousand it possesse,
But doth wast with greedinesse.

Confined Love 1635-69: no title, 1633, A18, B, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, TCC, TCD: To the worthiest of all my lovers. Cy: To the of all my loves my virtuous mistriss. P

3 his] this 1669

lesser] the lesser A18, Cy, JC, P

6 might 1633-69: should B, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, O'F, S, TC

9 lend] bend 1669

11 mate, 1633-39: meate, 1650: meat, 1669

a night (i.e. a-night) 1633-54: all night 1669

12 Beasts] Beast 1635

15 ship] ships 1669, Chambers

16 seeke new lands 1633-35 and MSS.: seeke lands 1639-69, Chambers, whose note is incorrect

withall 1633: with all 1635-69

17 built 1633-35: build 1639-69

Note

The Dreame.

Note (Supp.)

D EARE love, for nothing lesse then thee

Would I have broke this happy dreame,
It was a theame

For reason, much too strong for phantasie,

5Therefore thou wakd'st me wisely; yet

My Dreame thou brok'st not, but continued'st it,

Thou art so truth, that thoughts of thee suffice,

To make dreames truths; and fables histories;

Enter these armes, for since thou thoughtst it best,

10Not to dreame all my dreame, let's act the rest.

As lightning, or a Tapers light,

Thine eyes, and not thy noise wak'd mee;

Yet I thought thee

(For thou lovest truth) an Angell, at first sight,

15But when I saw thou sawest my heart,

And knew'st my thoughts, beyond an Angels art,

When thou knew'st what I dreamt, when thou knew'st when

Excesse of joy would wake me, and cam'st then,

I must confesse, it could not chuse but bee

20Prophane, to thinke thee any thing but thee.

Comming and staying show'd thee, thee,

But rising makes me doubt, that now,

Thou art not thou.

That love is weake, where feare's as strong as hee;

25'Tis not all spirit, pure, and brave,

If mixture it of Feare, Shame, Honor, have.

Perchance as torches which must ready bee,

Men light and put out, so thou deal'st with mee,

Thou cam'st to kindle, goest to come; Then I

30Will dreame that hope againe, but else would die.

The Dreame. 1633-69: do. or similarly, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, RP31, S, S96, TCC, TCD

6 brok'st ... continued'st] breakest ... continuest 1669, A25, C, P, S

7 so truth, 1633, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TC: so true, 1635-69, A25, B, C, Cy, O'F, P, S. See note

10 act] doe A25, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, O'F, P, S, S96

14 an Angell,] but an Angell, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TC

16 thoughts,] om. comma Grolier and Chambers. See Note

17 then thou knew'st when 1669

19 must] doe A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, TC

20 Prophane,] Profaness A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, S96, TC

24 feare's as strong 1635-54, A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, TCC: feares are strong 1669, B, Cy, O'F, P, S, S96: feare is strong, N, TCD

26 have. 1669: have; 1633-54

29 cam'st] com'st 1669

Then I] Thus I A18, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, TC (RP31 agrees with this group throughout)

Note

A Valediction: of weeping.

LET me powre forth

My teares before thy face, whil'st I stay here,

For thy face coines them, and thy stampe they beare,

And by this Mintage they are something worth,

5For thus they bee
Pregnant of thee;

Fruits of much griefe they are, emblemes of more,

When a teare falls, that thou falst which it bore,

So thou and I are nothing then, when on a divers shore.

10On a round ball

A workeman that hath copies by, can lay

An Europe, Afrique, and an Asia,

And quickly make that, which was nothing, All,

So doth each teare,
15Which thee doth weare,

A globe, yea world by that impression grow,

Till thy teares mixt with mine doe overflow

This world, by waters sent from thee, my heaven dissolved so.

O more then Moone,

20Draw not up seas to drowne me in thy spheare,

Weepe me not dead, in thine armes, but forbeare

To teach the sea, what it may doe too soone;

Let not the winde
Example finde,

25To doe me more harme, then it purposeth;

Since thou and I sigh one anothers breath,

Who e'r sighes most, is cruellest, and hasts the others death.

A Valediction: of &c. Ed: A Valediction of weeping. 1633-69: Valediction of Weeping. A18, N, TCC, TCD: A Valediction. B, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec: A Valediction of Teares. Cy, S, S96: Valediction 2. Of Tears. O'F: no title, JC

3 beare, 1633: beare; 1635-69

6 thee; Ed: thee, 1633-69

8 falst 1633-69: falls A18, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, S, TC

9 shore.] shore, 1633

13 All, 1633: All 1635: All. 1639: All: 1650-69

16 world] would 1669

20 up seas] thy seas 1669

22 soone; Ed: soone, 1633-69

25 purposeth; Ed: purposeth, 1633-69

Note

Loves Alchymie.

SOME that have deeper digg'd loves Myne then I,

Say, where his centrique happinesse doth lie:
I have lov'd, and got, and told,

But should I love, get, tell, till I were old,

5I should not finde that hidden mysterie;

Oh, 'tis imposture all:

And as no chymique yet th'Elixar got,

But glorifies his pregnant pot,
If by the way to him befall

10Some odoriferous thing, or medicinall,

So, lovers dreame a rich and long delight,
But get a winter-seeming summers night.

Our ease, our thrift, our honor, and our day,

Shall we, for this vaine Bubles shadow pay?

15Ends love in this, that my man,

Can be as happy'as I can; If he can

Endure the short scorne of a Bridegroomes play?

That loving wretch that sweares,

'Tis not the bodies marry, but the mindes,

20Which he in her Angelique findes,
Would sweare as justly, that he heares,

In that dayes rude hoarse minstralsey, the spheares.

Hope not for minde in women; at their best
Sweetnesse and wit, they'are but Mummy, possest.

Loves Alchymie. 1633-69: Mummye. A18, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74 (or Alchymy. added in a later hand), Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: Elegie. P: no title, A25

14 Bubles

Bubless 1669]

15 my 1633-69 and MSS.: any S96, 1855, and Grolier (perhaps from some copy of 1633)

23-4 punctuation from MSS:

at their best,

Sweetnesse, and wit they'are, but, Mummy, possest. 1633-54:

1669 omits all punctuation in these lines

Note

The Flea.

MARKE but this flea, and marke in this,

How little that which thou deny'st me is;

It suck'd me first, and now sucks thee,

And in this flea, our two bloods mingled bee;

5Thou know'st that this cannot be said

A sinne, nor shame, nor losse of maidenhead,

Yet this enjoyes before it wooe,
And pamper'd swells with one blood made of two,
And this, alas, is more then wee would doe.

10Oh stay, three lives in one flea spare,

Where wee almost, yea more then maryed are.

This flea is you and I, and this

Our mariage bed, and mariage temple is;

Though parents grudge, and you, w'are met,

15And cloysterd in these living walls of Jet.

Though use make you apt to kill mee,
Let not to that, selfe murder added bee,
And sacrilege, three sinnes in killing three.

Cruell and sodaine, hast thou since

20Purpled thy naile, in blood of innocence?

Wherein could this flea guilty bee,

Except in that drop which it suckt from thee?

Yet thou triumph'st, and saist that thou

Find'st not thy selfe, nor mee the weaker now;

25'Tis true, then learne how false, feares bee;
Just so much honor, when thou yeeld'st to mee,
Will wast, as this flea's death tooke life from thee.

The Flea is placed here in the 1633 edition: 1635-69 place it at beginning of Songs and Sonets: The Flea. or no title, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD

3 It suckt mee first, 1633-54, D, H49, Lec, S96: Mee it suck'd first, 1669, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, L74, N, P, S, TC

and now sucks] and now it sucks 1669

5 Thou know'st that 1633-54, D, H49, Lec: Confess it. This cannot be said 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, H40, L74, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC

6 nor shame, nor losse 1633-54 (shame 1633), D, H49, Lec: or shame, or loss 1669, A18, A25, B, Cy, H40, L74, N, O'F, P, TC

9 would] could 1669

11 yea, 1633-54, D, H49, Lec: nay, 1669, A18, A25, B, C, H40, L74, N, O'F, S, TC

16 you] thee A18, Cy, N, O'F, S, S96, TC

21 Wherein] In what A18, A25, B, Cy, L74, N, O'F, S, S96, TC

22 drop] blood 1669

Note

The Curse.

WHO ever guesses, thinks, or dreames he knowes

Who is my mistris, wither by this curse;
His only, and only his purse
May some dull heart to love dispose,

5And shee yeeld then to all that are his foes;

May he be scorn'd by one, whom all else scorne,
Forsweare to others, what to her he'hath sworne,
With feare of missing, shame of getting, torne:

Madnesse his sorrow, gout his cramp, may hee

10Make, by but thinking, who hath made him such:

And may he feele no touch
Of conscience, but of fame, and bee

Anguish'd, not that'twas sinne, but that'twas shee:

In early and long scarcenesse may he rot,
15For land which had been his, if he had not
Himselfe incestuously an heire begot:

May he dreame Treason, and beleeve, that hee

Meant to performe it, and confesse, and die,

And no record tell why:
20His sonnes, which none of his may bee,

Inherite nothing but his infamie:

Or may he so long Parasites have fed,
That he would faine be theirs, whom he hath bred,
And at the last be circumcis'd for bread:

25The venom of all stepdames, gamsters gall,

What Tyrans, and their subjects interwish,

What Plants, Mynes, Beasts, Foule, Fish,
Can contribute, all ill which all

Prophets, or Poets spake; And all which shall

30Be annex'd in schedules unto this by mee,
Fall on that man; For if it be a shee
Nature before hand hath out-cursed mee.

The Curse. 1633-69: A Curse. or The Curse. A18, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, S, TCC, TCD: Dirae. P, Q

2 curse] course 1669

3 His only, and only his purse 1633-54, A18, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, S, TC: Him, only for his purse 1669, Chambers: His one and his onely purse P

4 heart 1633-54 and MSS.: whore 1669 and Chambers

5 And she yeeld then to 1633-54 and MSS.: And then yield unto 1669, Chambers

8 getting, Ed: getting 1633-69

torne: Ed: torne; 1633-54: torne. 1669. Compare 16 and 24

9 cramp,] cramps, 1669, Chambers, and most MSS.

10 him 1633-54 and MSS.: them 1669, Chambers

12 fame,] shame; A18, A25, N, P, TC

14-16 In early and long scarceness ... an heire begot: 1633, B, D, H40, H49, Lec, O'F (which gives alternate version in margin), S:

Or may he for her vertue reverence

One that hates him onely for impotence,

And equall Traitors be she and his sense.

1635-69, A18, A25, C, JC, N, P, Q, S, TC

18 Meant] Went A18, N, TC

26 Tyrans, 1633-35: Tyrants, 1639: tyrants, 1650-69

27 Mynes, A18, A25, B, H40, JC, L74, N, O'F, P, Q, S, TC: Myne, 1633-69, D, H49, Lec

28 ill 1669: ill, 1633-54

Note

The Message.

S END home my long strayd eyes to mee,

Which (Oh) too long have dwelt on thee;

Yet since there they have learn'd such ill,

Such forc'd fashions,
5And false passions,
That they be
Made by thee

Fit for no good sight, keep them still.

Send home my harmlesse heart againe,

10Which no unworthy thought could staine;

But if it be taught by thine

To make jestings
Of protestings,
And crosse both
15Word and oath,

Keepe it, for then 'tis none of mine.

Yet send me back my heart and eyes,

That I may know, and see thy lyes,

And may laugh and joy, when thou

20Art in anguish
And dost languish
For some one
That will none,

Or prove as false as thou art now.

The Message. 1635-69: no title, 1633: Song. or no title, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, S96: Sonnet. P: Songes wch were made to &c. (vid. sup. p. 18) A18, N, TCC, TCD

2 thee; Ed: thee, 1633-69

3 But if they there 1669, S

10 staine;] staine, 1633-69

11 But 1635-69: Which 1633, A18, A25, D, H49, Lec, N, TC

14 crosse, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: breake 1633-69

16 Keep it still 'tis 1669

19 And may laugh, when that Thou D, H49, Lec

24 art now.] dost now. 1669

Note

A nocturnall upon S. Lucies day,

Being the shortest day.

TIS the yeares midnight, and it is the dayes,

Lucies, who scarce seaven houres herself unmaskes,
The Sunne is spent, and now his flasks
Send forth light squibs, no constant rayes;
5The worlds whole sap is sunke:

The generall balme th'hydroptique earth hath drunk,

Whither, as to the beds-feet, life is shrunke,

Dead and enterr'd; yet all these seeme to laugh,

Compar'd with mee, who am their Epitaph.

10Study me then, you who shall lovers bee

At the next world, that is, at the next Spring:

For I am every dead thing,
In whom love wrought new Alchimie.
For his art did expresse

15A quintessence even from nothingnesse,

From dull privations, and leane emptinesse:

He ruin'd mee, and I am re-begot

Of absence, darknesse, death; things which are not.

All others, from all things, draw all that's good,

20Life, soule, forme, spirit, whence they beeing have;

I, by loves limbecke, am the grave
Of all, that's nothing. Oft a flood
Have wee two wept, and so

Drownd the whole world, us two; oft did we grow

25To be two Chaosses, when we did show

Care to ought else; and often absences

Withdrew our soules, and made us carcasses.

But I am by her death, (which word wrongs her)

Of the first nothing, the Elixer grown;

30Were I a man, that I were one,
I needs must know; I should preferre,
If I were any beast,

Some ends, some means; Yea plants, yea stones detest,

And love; All, all some properties invest;

35If I an ordinary nothing were,

As shadow, a light, and body must be here.

But I am None; nor will my Sunne renew.

You lovers, for whose sake, the lesser Sunne

At this time to the Goat is runne
40To fetch new lust, and give it you,
Enjoy your summer all;

Since shee enjoyes her long nights festivall,

Let mee prepare towards her, and let mee call

This houre her Vigill, and her Eve, since this

45Both the yeares, and the dayes deep midnight is.

A nocturnal &c. 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TCC, TCD

7 beds-feet,] beds-feet 1633-69

12 every 1633, A18, N, O'F (altered to a very), TC: a very 1635-69

16 emptinesse: 1719: emptinesse; Chambers and Grolier: emptinesse 1633-54: emptinesse, 1669. See note

20 have; Ed: have, 1633-69.

31 know;] know, 1633

32 beast,] beast; Grolier

34 love; All, all Ed: love, all, all 1633-69

invest; Ed: invest, 1633: invest 1635-69

37 renew. 1633: renew, 1635-69

41 all; Ed: all, 1633-69 and Chambers, who places a full stop after festivall

44 Eve, 1650-69: eve, 1633-39

Witchcraft by a picture.

I FIXE mine eye on thine, and there

Pitty my picture burning in thine eye,

My picture drown'd in a transparent teare,

When I looke lower I espie;
5Hadst thou the wicked skill

By pictures made and mard, to kill,

How many wayes mightst thou performe thy will?

But now I have drunke thy sweet salt teares,

And though thou poure more I'll depart;

10My picture vanish'd, vanish feares,

That I can be endamag'd by that art;
Though thou retaine of mee

One picture more, yet that will bee,

Being in thine owne heart, from all malice free.

Witchcraft &c. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: The Picture. or Picture. Cy, JC, O'F, P, S96: A Songe. B

4 espie; Ed: espie, 1633-69

6 to kill, Ed: to kill? 1633-39: to kill; 1650-69

9 And though] Although 1669 And though thou therefore poure more will depart; B, H40

10 vanish'd, vanish feares, 1633, A18, B, Cy, H40, JC, N, P, S96, TC: vanished, vanish all feares 1635-54, O'F: vanish, vanish fears, 1669

11 that] thy JC, O'F, S96

14 all] thy B, H40, S96

Note: Music
Music

The Baite.

C OME live with mee, and bee my love,

And wee will some new pleasures prove

Of golden sands, and christall brookes,

With silken lines, and silver hookes.

5There will the river whispering runne

Warm'd by thy eyes, more then the Sunne.

And there the'inamor'd fish will stay,

Begging themselves they may betray.

When thou wilt swimme in that live bath,

10Each fish, which every channell hath,

Will amorously to thee swimme,

Gladder to catch thee, then thou him.

If thou, to be so seene, beest loath,

By Sunne, or Moone, thou darknest both,

15And if my selfe have leave to see,

I need not their light, having thee.

Let others freeze with angling reeds,

And cut their legges, with shells and weeds,

Or treacherously poore fish beset,

20With strangling snare, or windowie net:

Let coarse bold hands, from slimy nest

The bedded fish in banks out-wrest,

Or curious traitors, sleavesilke flies

Bewitch poore fishes wandring eyes.

25For thee, thou needst no such deceit,

For thou thy selfe art thine owne bait;

That fish, that is not catch'd thereby,

Alas, is wiser farre then I.

The Baite. 1635-69: no title, 1633: Song. or no title, D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, P, S96, Walton's Compleate Angler: Fourth Day: Chap. XII.: Songs that were made &c. (vid. sup. p. 18) A18, N, TCC, TCD

2 some new] all the P

3 brookes, Ed: brookes: 1633-69

5 whispering 1633: whispring 1635-69

6 thy] thine 1669, A18, N, TC

7 inamor'd] enamelled Walton

stay] play 1669

11 to] unto JC, O'F, P: to see N: Most amoroussly to thee will swim Walton

15 my selfe] mine eyes Walton: my heart A18, N, TC

18 with] which 1633

20 snare,] snares, Walton

windowie] winding 1669. See note

23 Or 1633-69: Let Walton

sleavesilke 1635: sleave silke 1639-69 and Walton: sleavesicke 1633

24 To witch poor wandring fishes eyes. Walton

25 thou needst] there needs D, H49, Lec, S96

26 bait; Ed: bait, 1633-69

27 catch'd 1633-69: catch't Walton: caught P

28 Is wiser far, alas Walton

Note

The Apparition.

WHEN by thy scorne, O murdresse, I am dead,

And that thou thinkst thee free

From all solicitation from mee,

Then shall my ghost come to thy bed,

5And thee, fain'd vestall, in worse armes shall see;

Then thy sicke taper will begin to winke,

And he, whose thou art then, being tyr'd before,

Will, if thou stirre, or pinch to wake him, thinke

Thou call'st for more,

10And in false sleepe will from thee shrinke,

And then poore Aspen wretch, neglected thou

Bath'd in a cold quicksilver sweat wilt lye

A veryer ghost then I;

What I will say, I will not tell thee now,

15Lest that preserve thee'; and since my love is spent,

I'had rather thou shouldst painfully repent,

Then by my threatnings rest still innocent.

The Apparition. 1633-69: do. or An Apparition. A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD

2 that thou thinkst] thou shalt think 1669

3 solicitation] solicitations JC, O'F

5 thee, ... vestall, Ed: thee ... vestall 1633-39: thee ... Vestall 1650-69

7 then] 1669 omits

10 in false sleepe will from 1633, Cy, D, H49, Lec, S: in false sleepe from 1635-54: in a false sleepe even from 1669: in a false sleepe from A25, P: in a false sleepe will from A18, N, TC

13 I;] I, 1633, some copies

17 rest still] keep thee A25, Cy, JC, O'F, P

Note

The broken heart.

HE is starke mad, who ever sayes,

That he hath beene in love an houre,

Yet not that love so soone decayes,

But that it can tenne in lesse space devour;

5Who will beleeve mee, if I sweare

That I have had the plague a yeare?

Who would not laugh at mee, if I should say,
I saw a flaske of powder burne a day?

Ah, what a trifle is a heart,

10If once into loves hands it come!

All other griefes allow a part

To other griefes, and aske themselves but some;

They come to us, but us Love draws,

Hee swallows us, and never chawes:

15By him, as by chain'd shot, whole rankes doe dye,
He is the tyran Pike, our hearts the Frye.

If 'twere not so, what did become

Of my heart, when I first saw thee?

I brought a heart into the roome,

20But from the roome, I carried none with mee:

If it had gone to thee, I know

Mine would have taught thine heart to show

More pitty unto mee: but Love, alas,
At one first blow did shiver it as glasse.

25Yet nothing can to nothing fall,

Nor any place be empty quite,

Therefore I thinke my breast hath all

Those peeces still, though they be not unite;

And now as broken glasses show

30A hundred lesser faces, so

My ragges of heart can like, wish, and adore,
But after one such love, can love no more.

The broken heart. 1633-69: Broken Heart. L74: Song. or no title, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, TCC, TCD: Elegie. P, S96

8 flaske 1633, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, Lec, O'F (corrected from flash), P, S: flash 1635-69, A18, H49, N, TC

10 come! Ed: come? 1633-69

12 some; Ed: some, 1633-69

15 chain'd shot] chain-shott A18, A25, N, TC

16 tyran] Tyrant 1669

our hearts] and we 1669

17 did] could A18, A25, B, C, L74, O'F, N, TC: would B, Cy, M, S

20 mee: 1650-69: mee; 1633-39

23 alas,] alas 1633

24 first] fierce A18, B, N, TC

30 hundred] thousand A18, A25, B, Cy, L74, M, N, P, S, TC

Note

A Valediction: forbidding mourning.

A S virtuous men passe mildly away,

And whisper to their soules, to goe,

Whilst some of their sad friends doe say,

The breath goes now, and some say, no:

5So let us melt, and make no noise,

No teare-floods, nor sigh-tempests move,

T'were prophanation of our joyes

To tell the layetie our love.

Moving of th'earth brings harmes and feares,

10Men reckon what it did and meant,

But trepidation of the spheares,

Though greater farre, is innocent.

Dull sublunary lovers love

(Whose soule is sense) cannot admit

15Absence, because it doth remove

Those things which elemented it.

But we by a love, so much refin'd,

That our selves know not what it is,

Inter-assured of the mind,

20Care lesse, eyes, lips, and hands to misse.

Our two soules therefore, which are one,

Though I must goe, endure not yet

A breach, but an expansion,

Like gold to ayery thinnesse beate.

25If they be two, they are two so

As stiffe twin compasses are two,

Thy soule the fixt foot, makes no show

To move, but doth, if the'other doe.

And though it in the center sit,

30Yet when the other far doth rome,

It leanes, and hearkens after it,

And growes erect, as that comes home.

Such wilt thou be to mee, who must

Like th'other foot, obliquely runne;

Thy firmnes makes my circle just,

35And makes me end, where I begunne.

A Valediction: forbidding &c. Ed: A Valediction forbidding &c. 1633-69: Valediction forbidding &c. A18, N, TCC, TCD: Valediction agaynst &c. A25, C: A Valediction. B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec: Vpon the partinge from his Mistris. O'F, S96: To his love upon his departure from her. JC: Elegie. L74, P: also in Walton's Life of Donne (1675)

4 The breath goes now, 1633-54, and all the MSS.: Now his breath goes, 1669, Chambers

no: Ed: no. 1633-54: No; 1669

30 the other] my other Walton

31 It] Thine Walton

32 that] mine Walton

34 runne; Ed: runne. 1633-69

35 circle] circles 1639-54

36 makes me] me to Walton

Note

The Extasie.

WHERE, like a pillow on a bed,

A Pregnant banke swel'd up, to rest

The violets reclining head,

Sat we two, one anothers best.

5Our hands were firmely cimented

With a fast balme, which thence did spring,

Our eye-beames twisted, and did thred

Our eyes, upon one double string;

So to'entergraft our hands, as yet

10Was all the meanes to make us one,

And pictures in our eyes to get

Was all our propagation.

As 'twixt two equall Armies, Fate

Suspends uncertaine victorie,

15Our soules, (which to advance their state,

Were gone out,) hung 'twixt her, and mee.

And whil'st our soules negotiate there,

Wee like sepulchrall statues lay;

All day, the same our postures were,

20And wee said nothing, all the day.

If any, so by love refin'd,

That he soules language understood,

And by good love were growen all minde,

Within convenient distance stood,

25He (though he knew not which soule spake,

Because both meant, both spake the same)

Might thence a new concoction take,

And part farre purer then he came.

This Extasie doth unperplex

30(We said) and tell us what we love,

Wee see by this, it was not sexe,

Wee see, we saw not what did move:

But as all severall soules containe

Mixture of things, they know not what,

35Love, these mixt soules, doth mixe againe,

And makes both one, each this and that.

A single violet transplant,

The strength, the colour, and the size,

(All which before was poore, and scant,)

40Redoubles still, and multiplies.

When love, with one another so

Interinanimates two soules,

That abler soule, which thence doth flow,

Defects of lonelinesse controules.

45Wee then, who are this new soule, know,

Of what we are compos'd, and made,

For, th'Atomies of which we grow,

Are soules, whom no change can invade.

But O alas, so long, so farre

50Our bodies why doe wee forbeare?

They are ours, though they are not wee, Wee are

The intelligences, they the spheare.

We owe them thankes, because they thus,

Did us, to us, at first convay,

55Yeelded their forces, sense, to us,

Nor are drosse to us, but allay.

On man heavens influence workes not so,

But that it first imprints the ayre,

Soe soule into the soule may flow,

60Though it to body first repaire.

As our blood labours to beget

Spirits, as like soules as it can,

Because such fingers need to knit

That subtile knot, which makes us man:

65So must pure lovers soules descend

T'affections, and to faculties,

Which sense may reach and apprehend,

Else a great Prince in prison lies.

To'our bodies turne wee then, that so

70Weake men on love reveal'd may looke;

Loves mysteries in soules doe grow,

But yet the body is his booke.

And if some lover, such as wee,

Have heard this dialogue of one,

75Let him still marke us, he shall see

Small change, when we'are to bodies gone.

The Extasie. 1633-69: do. or Extasie. A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD

3 reclining 1633-54: declining 1669

4 best. Ed: best; 1633-54

Sate we on one anothers breasts. 1669

6 With 1633, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, P, S, TC: By 1635-69, Chambers

8 string; Ed: string, 1633-69

9 to'entergraft 1633, A18, D, H40, H49, Lec, N, P, S, TC: to engraft 1635-69, A25, JC, O'F, Chambers

11 in 1633-69, P: on A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, TC

15 their 1633 and most MSS.: our 1635-69, O'F, P

18 lay; Ed: lay, 1633-69

25 knew 1635-69, A18, A25, B, H40, H49, JC, N, P, TC: knowes 1633, D, Lec

29 doth] do 1669

31 sexe, 1669: sexe 1633-54

42 Interinanimates A18, A25, B, H40, H49, JC, N, O'F, P, TC: Interanimates 1633-69, D, Lec

44 loneliness] loveliness 1669

46 made, 1633-39: made: 1650-69

47 Atomies 1633-54: Atomes 1669

48 are soules, 1633, 1669: are soule, 1635-54

51 though they are not A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: though not 1633-69

52 spheare. A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: spheares. 1633-69

55 forces, sense, A18, A25, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: senses force 1633-69

59 Soe A18, A25, B, H40, JC, N, P, S, S96, TC: For 1633-69, D, H49, Lec

64 makes] make 1635-39

72 his] the 1669

76 gone. 1633, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, TC: growne. 1635-69, P, S96

Loves Deitie.

I LONG to talke with some old lovers ghost,

Who dyed before the god of Love was borne:

I cannot thinke that hee, who then lov'd most,

Sunke so low, as to love one which did scorne.

5But since this god produc'd a destinie,

And that vice-nature, custome, lets it be;

I must love her, that loves not mee.

Sure, they which made him god, meant not so much,

Nor he, in his young godhead practis'd it;

10But when an even flame two hearts did touch,

His office was indulgently to fit

Actives to passives. Correspondencie

Only his subject was; It cannot bee

Love, till I love her, that loves mee.

15But every moderne god will now extend

His vast prerogative, as far as Jove.

To rage, to lust, to write to, to commend,

All is the purlewe of the God of Love.

Oh were wee wak'ned by this Tyrannie

20To ungod this child againe, it could not bee

I should love her, who loves not mee.

Rebell and Atheist too, why murmure I,

As though I felt the worst that love could doe?

Love might make me leave loving, or might trie

25A deeper plague, to make her love mee too,

Which, since she loves before, I'am loth to see;

Falshood is worse then hate; and that must bee,

If shee whom I love, should love mee.

Loves Deitie. 1633-69, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: Elegye. P

8 much, 1639-69: much: 1633: much? 1635

9 it; Ed: it. 1633-69

13 subject] Subject 1669

14 Love, ... mee. 1633, 1669, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40 (who), H49, JC, L74, N, P, S (lov'd), TCD: Love, if I love, who loves not me. 1635-54, O'F

19 Oh ... wak'ned] Were we not weak'ned 1669

21 That I should love, who loves not me. A18, A25, C, Cy, D, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, P, S, S96, TC: O'F reads as these but alters to as in printed edd.

24 might make A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, N, P, S, S96, TC: may make 1633-69, Lec

26 Which,] Which 1633

Note

Loves diet.

TO what a combersome unwieldinesse

And burdenous corpulence my love had growne,
But that I did, to make it lesse,
And keepe it in proportion,

5Give it a diet, made it feed upon

That which love worst endures, discretion.

Above one sigh a day I'allow'd him not,

Of which my fortune, and my faults had part;

And if sometimes by stealth he got
10A she sigh from my mistresse heart,

And thought to feast on that, I let him see

'Twas neither very sound, nor meant to mee.

If he wroung from mee'a teare, I brin'd it so

With scorne or shame, that him it nourish'd not;

15If he suck'd hers, I let him know
'Twas not a teare, which hee had got,

His drinke was counterfeit, as was his meat;

For, eyes which rowle towards all, weepe not, but sweat.

What ever he would dictate, I writ that,

20But burnt my letters; When she writ to me,

And that that favour made him fat,
I said, if any title bee

Convey'd by this, Ah, what doth it availe,

To be the fortieth name in an entaile?

25Thus I reclaim'd my buzard love, to flye

At what, and when, and how, and where I chuse;

Now negligent of sport I lye,
And now as other Fawkners use,

I spring a mistresse, sweare, write, sigh and weepe:

30And the game kill'd, or lost, goe talke, and sleepe.

Loves diet. 1633-69, A18, A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, TCC (torn out of TCD): Amoris Dieta. S96

12 mee. Ed: mee; 1633-35: mee: 1639-69

18 For,] Her 1669

19 Whatever ... that, 1633-39, 1669: Whate'er might him distast I still writ that, 1650-54: Whatsoever hee would distast I writt that, A18, N, TC

20 But burnt my letters; When she writ to me, 1633: But burnt her letters when she writ to me, 1635: But burnt her letters when she writ to me; 1639-54, Chambers: But burnt my letters which she writ to me; 1669

21 that that 1633: if that 1635-69. See note

24 name] man 1669

25 reclaim'd 1635-69, A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, L74, N, O'F, S, TCC: redeem'd 1633, Lec

26 chuse] chose 1669

27 sport 1635-69, A18, B, D, H40, H49, L74, Lec, S, S96, TCC: sports, 1633

30 and 1633 and most MSS.: or 1635-69, Cy, O'F, S

Note

The Will.

BEFORE I sigh my last gaspe, let me breath,

Great love, some Legacies; Here I bequeath
Mine eyes to Argus, if mine eyes can see,
If they be blinde, then Love, I give them thee;
5My tongue to Fame; to'Embassadours mine eares;
To women or the sea, my teares.
Thou, Love, hast taught mee heretofore
By making mee serve her who'had twenty more,

That I should give to none, but such, as had too much before.

10My constancie I to the planets give;
My truth to them, who at the Court doe live;
Mine ingenuity and opennesse,
To Jesuites; to Buffones my pensivenesse;
My silence to'any, who abroad hath beene;
15My mony to a Capuchin.
Thou Love taught'st me, by appointing mee
To love there, where no love receiv'd can be,

Onely to give to such as have an incapacitie.

My faith I give to Roman Catholiques;
20All my good works unto the Schismaticks
Of Amsterdam; my best civility
And Courtship, to an Universitie;
My modesty I give to souldiers bare;
My patience let gamesters share.
25Thou Love taughtst mee, by making mee

Love her that holds my love disparity,

Onely to give to those that count my gifts indignity.

I give my reputation to those
Which were my friends; Mine industrie to foes;
30To Schoolemen I bequeath my doubtfulnesse;
My sicknesse to Physitians, or excesse;
To Nature, all that I in Ryme have writ;
And to my company my wit.
Thou Love, by making mee adore

35Her, who begot this love in mee before,

Taughtst me to make, as though I gave, when I did but restore.

To him for whom the passing bell next tolls,
I give my physick bookes; my writen rowles
Of Morall counsels, I to Bedlam give;
40My brazen medals, unto them which live
In want of bread; To them which passe among
All forrainers, mine English tongue.
Thou, Love, by making mee love one

Who thinkes her friendship a fit portion

45For yonger lovers, dost my gifts thus disproportion.

Therefore I'll give no more; But I'll undoe
The world by dying; because love dies too.
Then all your beauties will bee no more worth
Then gold in Mines, where none doth draw it forth;

50And all your graces no more use shall have
Then a Sun dyall in a grave.
Thou Love taughtst mee, by making mee

Love her, who doth neglect both mee and thee,

To'invent, and practise this one way, to'annihilate all three.

The Will. 1633-69: do. or A Will. A25, B, C, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, M, O'F, P: Loves Will. L74: Loves Legacies. A18, N, TCC (torn out of TCD), S: Testamentum. S96: His Last Will and Testament. JC

2 Here I 1633-54: I here 1669, Chambers

6 teares. Ed: teares; 1633-69

8 serve her] love her 1669

10 give; Ed: give, 1633-69

10-27 These stanzas printed without a break, 1669

14 hath] have 1669

18 an incapacitie.] no good Capacity. 1669

19-27 omitted, A18, A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, L74 (added later), Lec, M (added later), N, P, TCC: given in O'F, S, and all editions

33 wit. Ed: wit; 1633-69

34 Love, 1650-69: love, 1633-39

36 did 1633 and MSS.: do 1635-69, O'F

45 gifts 1633-35, 1669: gift 1639-54

46 more; But 1633: more, but 1635-69

49-51 forth; ... grave. 1669: forth ... grave, 1633-39 by interchange: forth ... grave. 1650-54

54 all three. 1633-39, three being below the line in 1633 and above in 1635-39: al. three 1650-54, the full stop having fallen from three to all below it: annihilate thee. 1669

Note

The Funerall.

WHO ever comes to shroud me, do not harme

Nor question much

That subtile wreath of haire, which crowns my arme;

The mystery, the signe you must not touch,

5For 'tis my outward Soule,

Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,

Will leave this to controule,

And keepe these limbes, her Provinces, from dissolution.

For if the sinewie thread my braine lets fall

10Through every part,

Can tye those parts, and make mee one of all;

These haires which upward grew, and strength and art

Have from a better braine,

Can better do'it; Except she meant that I

15By this should know my pain,

As prisoners then are manacled, when they'are condemn'd to die.

What ere shee meant by'it, bury it with me,

For since I am

Loves martyr, it might breed idolatrie,

20If into others hands these Reliques came;

As'twas humility

To afford to it all that a Soule can doe,

So,'tis some bravery,

That since you would save none of mee, I bury some of you.

The Funerall. 1633-69, A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD

3 which ... arme;] about mine arm; 1669

6 then to A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: unto 1633-69

12 These A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, N, S (The), S96, TC: Those 1633-69, Lec, O'F grew, 1633-39: grow, 1650-69

16 condemn'd] condem'nd 1633

17 with me, 1635-69 and MSS.: by me, 1633

24 save A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, N, P, TC: have 1633-69, Lec, O'F, S96: om. S

Note

The Blossome.

LITTLE think'st thou, poore flower,

Whom I have watch'd sixe or seaven dayes,

And seene thy birth, and seene what every houre

Gave to thy growth, thee to this height to raise,

5And now dost laugh and triumph on this bough,

Little think'st thou

That it will freeze anon, and that I shall

To morrow finde thee falne, or not at all.

Little think'st thou poore heart
10That labour'st yet to nestle thee,

And think'st by hovering here to get a part

In a forbidden or forbidding tree,

And hop'st her stiffenesse by long siege to bow:

Little think'st thou,

15That thou to morrow, ere that Sunne doth wake,

Must with this Sunne, and mee a journey take.

But thou which lov'st to bee
Subtile to plague thy selfe, wilt say,

Alas, if you must goe, what's that to mee?

20Here lyes my businesse, and here I will stay:

You goe to friends, whose love and meanes present

Various content

To your eyes, eares, and tongue, and every part.

If then your body goe, what need you a heart?

25Well then, stay here; but know,
When thou hast stayd and done thy most;

A naked thinking heart, that makes no show,

Is to a woman, but a kinde of Ghost;

How shall shee know my heart; or having none,

30Know thee for one?

Practise may make her know some other part,

But take my word, shee doth not know a Heart.

Meet mee at London, then,
Twenty dayes hence, and thou shalt see

35Mee fresher, and more fat, by being with men,

Then if I had staid still with her and thee.

For Gods sake, if you can, be you so too:

I would give you

There, to another friend, whom wee shall finde

40As glad to have my body, as my minde.

The Blossome. 1633-69, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: no title, A25

9-13 poore heart ... bow:] in brackets 1650-69

10 labour'st A18, N, TC: labourest 1635-69: labours 1633

15 that Sunne 1633: the Sunne 1635-69

18 wilt] will 1669

23 tongue A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S96, TC: om. S: tast 1633-69

24 need you a heart? A25, B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: need you have a heart? JC: need your heart? 1633-69

38 I would A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: I will 1633-69, Lec

Note

The Primrose, being at Montgomery Castle, upon the hill, on which it is situate.

V PON this Primrose hill,
Where, if Heav'n would distill

A shoure of raine, each severall drop might goe

To his owne primrose, and grow Manna so;

5And where their forme, and their infinitie

Make a terrestriall Galaxie,
As the small starres doe in the skie:

I walke to finde a true Love; and I see

That'tis not a mere woman, that is shee,

10But must, or more, or lesse then woman bee.

Yet know I not, which flower
I wish; a sixe, or foure;

For should my true-Love lesse then woman bee,

She were scarce any thing; and then, should she

15Be more then woman, shee would get above

All thought of sexe, and thinke to move
My heart to study her, and not to love;

Both these were monsters; Since there must reside

Falshood in woman, I could more abide,

20She were by art, then Nature falsify'd.

Live Primrose then, and thrive
With thy true number five;

And women, whom this flower doth represent,

With this mysterious number be content;

25Ten is the farthest number; if halfe ten

Belonge unto each woman, then
Each woman may take halfe us men;

Or if this will not serve their turne, Since all

Numbers are odde, or even, and they fall

30First into this, five, women may take us all.

The Primrose. 1633, A18, B, D, H49, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: The Primrose, being at &c. 1635-69

16 sexe, 1633: sexe; 1635-69

17 and not] and om. 1635-39, A18, N, S, TC

23 women] woman Chambers

25 number; Ed: number, 1633-69

26 Belonge all the MSS.: Belongs 1633-69. See note

27 men; Ed: men, 1633-39: men: 1650-69

28 their 1633-39: the 1650-69

29 and 1633: since 1635-69

30 this, Ed: this 1633, A18, B, D, H49, Lec, N, S, S96, TC: om. 1635-69, O'F, Chambers

Note

The Relique.

WHEN my grave is broke up againe

Some second ghest to entertaine,
(For graves have learn'd that woman-head
To be to more then one a Bed)
5And he that digs it, spies

A bracelet of bright haire about the bone,

Will he not let'us alone,

And thinke that there a loving couple lies,

Who thought that this device might be some way

10To make their soules, at the last busie day,

Meet at this grave, and make a little stay?

If this fall in a time, or land,
Where mis-devotion doth command,
Then, he that digges us up, will bring
15Us, to the Bishop, and the King,
To make us Reliques; then

Thou shalt be a Mary Magdalen, and I

A something else thereby;

All women shall adore us, and some men;

20And since at such time, miracles are sought,

I would have that age by this paper taught

What miracles wee harmelesse lovers wrought.

First, we lov'd well and faithfully,
Yet knew not what wee lov'd, nor why,
25Difference of sex no more wee knew,
Then our Guardian Angells doe;
Comming and going, wee

Perchance might kisse, but not between those meales;

Our hands ne'r toucht the seales,

30Which nature, injur'd by late law, sets free:

These miracles wee did; but now alas,

All measure, and all language, I would passe,

Should I tell what a miracle shee was.

The Relique. 1633-69, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TCC, TCD: no title, A25

13 mis-devotion 1633-54, A18, A25, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, S, S96, TC: mass-devotion 1669, Chambers

15 and 1633-54 and MSS.: or 1669, Chambers

17 Thou shalt be] You shal be A25, D, H49, JC, Lec, S. See note

20 time] times JC, O'F

21 have that age] that age were A18, N, TC

25-26 Difference ... doe, 1633, A18, N, TC:

Difference of Sex we never knew,

No more then Guardian Angells do, 1635-69:

Difference of Sex we never knew,

More then our Guardian Angells do. A25, B, D, H49, JC,

Lec, S, S96 (No more then our &c. B, S96)

26 doe; Ed: doe, 1633-69

27 wee Ed: wee, 1633-69

28 not] yet 1669

meales; Ed: meales. 1633: meales 1635-69, following some copies of 1633

30 sets] set 1669 free: 1650-69: free, 1633-39

The Dampe.

WHEN I am dead, and Doctors know not why,

And my friends curiositie

Will have me cut up to survay each part,

When they shall finde your Picture in my heart,

5You thinke a sodaine dampe of love
Will through all their senses move,

And worke on them as mee, and so preferre

Your murder, to the name of Massacre.

Poore victories! But if you dare be brave,

10And pleasure in your conquest have,

First kill th'enormous Gyant, your Disdaine,

And let th'enchantresse Honor, next be slaine,

And like a Goth and Vandall rize,
Deface Records, and Histories

15Of your owne arts and triumphs over men,

And without such advantage kill me then.

For I could muster up as well as you

My Gyants, and my Witches too,

Which are vast Constancy, and Secretnesse,

20But these I neyther looke for, nor professe;

Kill mee as Woman, let mee die
As a meere man; doe you but try

Your passive valor, and you shall finde than,

In that you'have odds enough of any man.

The Dampe. 1633-69, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD

4 When] And 1669

my 1633-39: mine 1650-69

9 victories! 1650-69: victories; 1633-39

10 your] the 1669

conquest] conquests JC

13 and Vandall 1633-54, A18, B, D, H49, JC, Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TC: or Vandall 1669, Chambers

15 arts] acts 1669, JC

20 professe; Ed: professe, 1633-69

24 In that 1633, A18, N, TC: Naked 1635-69, B, D, H49, Lec, JC, O'F, P, S

Note

The Dissolution.

SHEE'IS dead; And all which die
To their first Elements resolve;

And wee were mutuall Elements to us,

And made of one another.
5My body then doth hers involve,

And those things whereof I consist, hereby

In me abundant grow, and burdenous,

And nourish not, but smother.

My fire of Passion, sighes of ayre,

10Water of teares, and earthly sad despaire,

Which my materialls bee,

But neere worne out by loves securitie,

Shee, to my losse, doth by her death repaire,

And I might live long wretched so

15But that my fire doth with my fuell grow.

Now as those Active Kings
Whose foraine conquest treasure brings,

Receive more, and spend more, and soonest breake:

This (which I am amaz'd that I can speake)

20This death, hath with my store
My use encreas'd.

And so my soule more earnestly releas'd,

Will outstrip hers; As bullets flowen before

A latter bullet may o'rtake, the pouder being more.

The Dissolution. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD

10 earthly 1633, A18, N, TC: earthy 1635-69

12 neere 1635-69 (But ... securitie bracketed 1669): ne'r 1633

24 latter] later 1669

A Ieat Ring Sent.

THOU art not so black, as my heart,
Nor halfe so brittle, as her heart, thou art;

What would'st thou say? shall both our properties by thee bee spoke,

Nothing more endlesse, nothing sooner broke?

5Marriage rings are not of this stuffe;
Oh, why should ought lesse precious, or lesse tough

Figure our loves? Except in thy name thou have bid it say,

I'am cheap, and nought but fashion, fling me'away.

Yet stay with mee since thou art come,
10Circle this fingers top, which did'st her thombe.

Be justly proud, and gladly safe, that thou dost dwell with me,

She that, Oh, broke her faith, would soon breake thee.

A Ieat Ring sent. 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, TCC, TCD: To a Jeat Ring sent to me. W (among the Epigrams)

7 loves] love O'F say, Ed: say 1633-69

Note

Negative love.

I NEVER stoop'd so low, as they

Which on an eye, cheeke, lip, can prey,
Seldome to them, which soare no higher
Then vertue or the minde to'admire,

5For sense, and understanding may

Know, what gives fuell to their fire:

My love, though silly, is more brave,

For may I misse, when ere I crave,

If I know yet, what I would have.

10If that be simply perfectest

Which can by no way be exprest

But Negatives, my love is so.
To All, which all love, I say no.

If any who deciphers best,

15What we know not, our selves, can know,

Let him teach mee that nothing; This

As yet my ease, and comfort is,

Though I speed not, I cannot misse.

Negative love. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: Negative Love: or the Nothing. O'F: The Nothing. A25, C

4 to'admire, 1633-39: to'admire; 1650-69

5 For] Both A25, C

11 way] means 1669, O'F

16 nothing; 1633: nothing. 1635-69

Note

The Prohibition.

TAKE heed of loving mee,
At least remember, I forbade it thee;

Not that I shall repaire my'unthrifty wast

Of Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares,

5By being to thee then what to me thou wast;

But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares,

Then, least thy love, by my death, frustrate bee,

If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee.

Take heed of hating mee,

10Or too much triumph in the Victorie.

Not that I shall be mine owne officer,

And hate with hate againe retaliate;

But thou wilt lose the stile of conquerour,

If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.

15Then, least my being nothing lessen thee,

If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee.

Yet, love and hate mee too,

So, these extreames shall neithers office doe;

Love mee, that I may die the gentler way;

20Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee;

Or let these two, themselves, not me decay;

So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee;

Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe,

To let mee live, O love and hate mee too.

The Prohibition. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, O'F, S96: in B first two verses headed J. D., last verse T. R.: in A18, N, S96, TCC, TCD the last stanza is omitted

3 repaire my'unthrifty wast] repay in unthrifty a wast, 1669

5 By ... wast; Ed: By ... wast, 1635-69, B, Cy, H40, O'F, P, RP31, S96 (mee for thee B, P): By being to mee then that which thou wast; 1633: om. A18, D, H40, H49, N, TC

18 neithers Ed: neythers D, H40, H49, JC: neyther O'F, RP31: neyther their Cy: ne'r their 1633-69, B

20 thy 1635-69: my 1633 (thy in some copies)

22 I, live, Ed: I live 1633-69

Stage, 1635-69, B, Cy, H40, O'F: stay, 1633, JC: staye, D, H49

not] and H40

23-4

Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe

To let mee live, Oh (of in some copies) love and hate mee too.

1633, B

Then lest thou thy love hate, and mee thou undoe

O let me live, yet love and hate me too.

1635-54, Cy, D, H40, H49, JC, O'F (MSS. omitting first thou and some with Oh for yet)

Lest thou thy love, and hate, and me thou undo,

O let me live, yet love and hate me too.

1669.

Note

The Expiration.

SO, so, breake off this last lamenting kisse,

Which sucks two soules, and vapors Both away,

Turne thou ghost that way, and let mee turne this,

And let our selves benight our happiest day,

5We ask'd none leave to love; nor will we owe

Any, so cheape a death, as saying, Goe;

Goe; and if that word have not quite kil'd thee,

Ease mee with death, by bidding mee goe too.

Oh, if it have, let my word worke on mee,

10And a just office on a murderer doe.

Except it be too late, to kill me so,

Being double dead, going, and bidding, goe.

The Expiration. 1633-69: An Expiration. A18, N, TCC, TCD: Valediction. B: Valedictio. O'F: Valedictio Amoris. S: Valedico. P: no title, A25, C, JC

1 So, so,] So, go 1669

5 ask'd A18, A25, B, C JC, N, O'F, S96, TC: aske 1633-69, P, S

9 Oh, 1633, A18, A25, JC, N, TC: Or, 1635-69, B, O'F, S, S96

The Computation.

FOR the first twenty yeares, since yesterday,

I scarce beleev'd, thou could'st be gone away,

For forty more, I fed on favours past,

And forty'on hopes, that thou would'st, they might last.

5Teares drown'd one hundred, and sighes blew out two,

A thousand, I did neither thinke, nor doe,
Or not divide, all being one thought of you;
Or in a thousand more, forgot that too.

Yet call not this long life; But thinke that I

10Am, by being dead, Immortall; Can ghosts die?

The Computation. 1633-69, A18, N, TCC, TCD: no title, B, O'F, S

1 For 1633-54: From 1669

the 1633, A18, N, TC: my 1635-69, B, O'F, S, Chambers

3 For] And 1669

6 One thousand I did think nothing nor doe, S, O'F (nothing think) doe, 1635-69: doe. 1633

7 divide, 1633, 1669: deem'd, 1635-54, O'F

8 a] one O'F, S: line dropped A18, N, TC

forgot] forget 1669, A18, N, O'F, S, TC

Note

The Paradox.

NO Lover saith, I love, nor any other

Can judge a perfect Lover;

Hee thinkes that else none can, nor will agree

That any loves but hee:

5I cannot say I lov'd, for who can say

Hee was kill'd yesterday?

Love with excesse of heat, more yong then old,

Death kills with too much cold;

Wee dye but once, and who lov'd last did die,

10Hee that saith twice, doth lye:

For though hee seeme to move, and stirre a while,

It doth the sense beguile.

Such life is like the light which bideth yet

When the lights life is set,

15Or like the heat, which fire in solid matter

Leaves behinde, two houres after.

Once I lov'd and dy'd; and am now become

Mine Epitaph and Tombe.

Here dead men speake their last, and so do I;

20Love-slaine, loe, here I lye.

The Paradox. 1635-69: no title, 1633, A18, H40, L74, N, O'F, S, S96 TCC, TCD

3 can, nor will agree A18, H40, N, O'F, S, TC: can or will agree, 1633-69

6 yesterday?] yesterday. 1633-39

14 lights life H40, L74, RP31, S: lifes light 1633-69, A18, N, O'F, S96, TC

15 which Ed: which, 1633-69

17 lov'd A18, H40, L74, N, O'F, S, TC: love 1633-69

dy'd] dyed 1633-69

20 lye. H40, RP31, S, S96: dye. 1633-69, A18, L74, N, O'F, TC

Note

Farewell to Love.

WHILST yet to prove,

I thought there was some Deitie in love

So did I reverence, and gave

Worship; as Atheists at their dying houre

5Call, what they cannot name, an unknowne power,

As ignorantly did I crave:
Thus when

Things not yet knowne are coveted by men,

Our desires give them fashion, and so

10As they waxe lesser, fall, as they sise, grow.

But, from late faire

His hignesse sitting in a golden Chaire,

Is not lesse cared for after three dayes

By children, then the thing which lovers so

15Blindly admire, and with such worship wooe;

Being had, enjoying it decayes:
And thence,

What before pleas'd them all, takes but one sense,

And that so lamely, as it leaves behinde

20A kinde of sorrowing dulnesse to the minde.

Ah cannot wee,

As well as Cocks and Lyons jocund be,

After such pleasures? Unlesse wise

Nature decreed (since each such Act, they say,

25Diminisheth the length of life a day)

This, as shee would man should despise
The sport;

Because that other curse of being short,

And onely for a minute made to be,

30(Eagers desire) to raise posterity.

Since so, my minde

Shall not desire what no man else can finde,

I'll no more dote and runne

To pursue things which had indammag'd me.

35And when I come where moving beauties be,

As men doe when the summers Sunne
Growes great,

Though I admire their greatnesse, shun their heat;

Each place can afford shadowes. If all faile,

40'Tis but applying worme-seed to the Taile.

Farewell to love. 1635-69 (following Soules joy: p. 429), O'F, S96

4 Worship; Ed: Worship, 1635-69

10 sise, 1635-69, O'F: rise S96

23 pleasures? Ed: pleasures, 1635-69

26 This, Ed: This; 1635-69

27 sport; Ed: sport, 1635-69

29 to be, Ed: to be 1635-69

30 (Eagers desire) Ed: Eager, desires 1635-69. See note

36 summers 1635-69: summer 1650-1669

Note

A Lecture upon the Shadow.

STAND still, and I will read to thee

A Lecture, Love, in loves philosophy.
These three houres that we have spent,
Walking here, Two shadowes went

5Along with us, which we our selves produc'd;

But, now the Sunne is just above our head,

We doe those shadowes tread;
And to brave clearnesse all things are reduc'd.
So whilst our infant loves did grow,
10Disguises did, and shadowes, flow,
From us, and our cares; but, now 'tis not so.

That love hath not attain'd the high'st degree,

Which is still diligent lest others see.

Except our loves at this noone stay,

15We shall new shadowes make the other way.

As the first were made to blinde
Others; these which come behinde

Will worke upon our selves, and blind our eyes.

If our loves faint, and westwardly decline;

20To me thou, falsly, thine,
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.
The morning shadowes weare away,
But these grow longer all the day,
But oh, loves day is short, if love decay.

25Love is a growing, or full constant light;

And his first minute, after noone, is night.

A Lecture &c. 1650-69: Lecture &c, A18, N, TCC, TCD: Song. 1635-39 (following Dear Love continue: p. 412): The Shadowe. O'F, P: Shadowe. S96: Loves Lecture. S: Loves Lecture upon the Shaddow. L74: Loves Philosophy. JC: no title, A25, B, C, D, H40, H49, Lec

4 Walking 1635-69, A18, A25, N, TC: In walking B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, S96

here, 1719: here; 1635-39: here: 1650-69

9 loves 1635-54, A18, L74, N, TC: love 1669, B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S

12 high'st] least B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, S96

14 loves 1635-69, A18, A25, L74, N, TC: love B, D, H40, H49, JC, Lec, O'F, S, S96

19 If our loves faint 1635-69, A25, O'F (love), P, S96 (love), TC: If once love faint B, D, H40, H49, JC, S

26 first A18, A25, B, D, H40, H49, JC, L74, Lec, N, O'F, P, S96, TC: short 1635-69

Sonnet. The Token.

S END me some token, that my hope may live,

Or that my easelesse thoughts may sleep and rest;

Send me some honey to make sweet my hive,

That in my passion I may hope the best.

5I beg noe ribbond wrought with thine owne hands,

To knit our loves in the fantastick straine

Of new-toucht youth; nor Ring to shew the stands

Of our affection, that as that's round and plaine,

So should our loves meet in simplicity;

10No, nor the Coralls which thy wrist infold,

Lac'd up together in congruity,

To shew our thoughts should rest in the same hold;

No, nor thy picture, though most gracious,

And most desir'd, because best like the best;

15Nor witty Lines, which are most copious,

Within the Writings which thou hast addrest.

Send me nor this, nor that, t'increase my store,
But swear thou thinkst I love thee, and no more.

Sonnet. The Token. 1649-69 (following Vpon Mr. Thomas Coryats Crudities. at close of Epicedes): Ad Lesbiam. S96: no title, B, Cy: Sonnet. O'F: Elegie. P

1 token B, O'F, S96: Tokens 1650-69, P

4 passion S96: passions 1650-69, B, P

5 noe B, O'F, P, S96: nor 1650-69

9 simplicity; Ed: simplicity. 1650-69

11 in 1650-69: with B, O'F, S96

12 hold; Ed: hold. 1650-69

14 desir'd because ... best; B, O'F, S96: desired 'cause 'tis like thee best; 1650-54: desired 'cause 'tis like the best; 1669, Chambers

17 store, B, O'F, P, S96: score, 1650-69

〈Selfe Love.〉

H E that cannot chuse but love,

And strives against it still,

Never shall my fancy move;

For he loves 'gaynst his will;

5Nor he which is all his own,

And can att pleasure chuse,

When I am caught he can be gone,

And when he list refuse.

Nor he that loves none but faire,

10For such by all are sought;

Nor he that can for foul ones care,

For his Judgement then is nought:

Nor he that hath wit, for he

Will make me his jest or slave;

15Nor a fool, for when others...,

He can neither....

Nor he that still his Mistresse payes,

For she is thrall'd therefore:

Nor he that payes not, for he sayes

20Within, shee's worth no more.

Is there then no kinde of men

Whom I may freely prove?

I will vent that humour then

In mine own selfe love.

〈Selfe Love.〉 title given by Chambers: no title, 1650-69 (in appendix), JC, O'F

4 'gaynst JC, O'F: against 1650-69

6 And can ... chuse, JC: And cannot pleasure chuse, 1650-69: And can all pleasures chuse, O'F

11 foul ones] fouleness O'F

14 slave; 1719: slave 1650-69

15 fool, 1719: fool 1650-69

17 payes, JC, O'F: prays, 1650-69

19 payes not,] payes, not, 1650-69

20 Within, Ed: Within 1650-69

The end of the Songs and Sonets.

Note