" And lift aloft your velvet heads, With scarfs and garters as you please, 2 To Hogsdon, or to Newington, Where ale and cakes are plenty; Which to prolong, God save our king, And root out treason from the land! And so, my friends, I cease. 1 With bells," &c.—the trappings of the morris-dancers. 2 See Notes at the end of the volume. COME, In an even measure meet, And your cheerful voices rise, To great Cupid, in whose name, Young men, take your loves and kiss; Thus our Cupid honoured is; Kiss again, and in your kissing Let no promises be missing; Dare to turn away her ear Unto the whisper of her love, But give bracelet, ring, or glove, As a token to her sweeting, Of an after secret meeting. Now, boy, sing, to stick our hearts 1 Performed on the Sunday following New Year's night, 1611-12. THE SONG. LOVERS, rejoice! your pains shall be rewarded, The god of love himself grieves at your crying; No more shall frozen honour be regarded, No more shall virgins sigh, and say "We dare not, All shall be well again; then do not grieve; Lovers, rejoice! what you shall say henceforth, When you have caught your sweethearts in your arms, It shall be accounted oracle and worth; No more faint-hearted girls shall dream of harms, And cry "They are too young"; the god hath said, Fifteen shall make a mother of a maid: Then, wise men, pull your roses yet unblown: Love hates the too-ripe fruit that falls alone. CUPID, PARDON WHAT IS PAST. UPID, pardon what is past, CU And forgive our sins at last! Troths at fifteen we will plight, With the youths that have desire. Bracelets of our lovers' hair, Which they on our arms shall twist, With their names carved, on our wrist; All the money that we owe1 We in tokens will bestow; And learn to write that, when 'tis sent, Only our loves know what is meant. Oh, then pardon what is past, And forgive our sins at last! 1 Own. H From BEAUMONT and FLET- 1619.1 BRIDAL SONGS. FIRST SONG, during which Proteus and other sea-deities enter. CYNTHIA, to thy power and thee We obey. Joy to this great company! And no day Come to steal this night away, Till the rites of love are ended, And the lusty bridegroom say, Welcome, light, of all befriended! Pace out, you watery powers below; Let your feet, Like the galleys when they row, Even beat; Let your unknown measures, set ' Produced not later than 1611. |