So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this and this gives life to thee. XXIX XXXIII Full many a glorious morning have I seen Flatter the mountain-tops with sovereign eye, Kissing with golden face the meadows green, When, in disgrace with fortune and men's Gilding pale streams with heavenly al eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, chemy, Anon permit the basest clouds to ride 5 And look upon myself and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, Haply I think on thee, and then my state, ΙΟ Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's brow; ΙΟ Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. In me thou see'st the twilight of such day 5 Tired with all these, for restful death I Death's second self, that seals up all in Then, soul, live thou upon thy servant's loss, And let that pine to aggravate thy store;10 Buy terms divine in selling hours of dross; Within be fed, without be rich no more: So shalt thou feed on Death, that feeds on men, And Death once dead, there's no more dying then. ELIZABETHAN SONG WRITERS ANONYMOUS BACK AND SIDE GO BARE, GO BARE Back and side go bare, go bare, Both hand and foot go cold; But, belly, God send thee good ale enough, Whether it be new or old. I cannot eat but little meat, But sure I think that I can drink I stuff my skin so full within I love no roast but a nutbrown toast, A little bread shall do me stead, No frost nor snow, no wind, I trow, I am so wrapt and throughly lapt And Tib my wife, that as her life Loveth well good ale to seek, Full oft drinks she, till ye may see 5 IO 15 20 25 Now let them drink till they nod and I laugh not at another's loss; wink, 35 Even as good fellows should do; Back and side, go bare, go bare, 40 I grudge not at another's pain; But, belly, God send thee good ale But all the pleasure that I find Whether it be new or old. SIR EDWARD DYER (1550?-1607) MY MIND TO ME A KINGDOM IS My mind to me a kingdom is, Such present joys therein I find That it excels all other bliss That earth affords or grows by kind: Though much I want which most would have, Yet still my mind forbids to crave. No princely pomp, no wealthy store, No wily wit to salve a sore, No shape to feed a loving eye; I see how plenty [surfeits] oft, And hasty climbers soon do fall; I see that those which are aloft Mishap doth threaten most of all; They get with toil, they keep with fear: Such cares my mind could never bear. Content to live, this is my stay; I seek no more than may suffice; I press to bear no haughty sway; ΙΟ 15 Is to maintain a quiet mind. My wealth is health and perfect ease; SIR PHILIP SIDNEY (1554–1586) LOVE IS DEAD 35 40 45 5 Ring out your bells, let mourning shows 20 Look, what I lack my mind supplies: They are but poor, though much they And I am rich with little store: They poor, I rich; they beg, I give; They lack, I leave; they pine, I live. 1 emptied. 30 be spread; For Love is dead: All Love is dead, infected With plague of deep disdain: Worth, as nought worth, rejected, 5 And Faith fair scorn doth gain. From so ungrateful fancy, From such a female franzie,2 From them that use men thus, Good Lord, deliver us! IO |