Their willow locks abroad, and all the day With their own wat'ry shadows wanton playDares not those high amours, and love-sick songs essay. Impotent words, weak lines, that strive in vain- Infinite sure those joys, my words but light; Light is the palace where she dwells-O blessed wight! GEORGE WITHER. BORN 1588; DIED 1667. Of the writings of this once popular poet, the principal are, "The Shepherd's Hunting," "Emblems," "Songs of the Church." He also published numerous minor productions, the greater part of which were called forth either by the public events of the calamitous times in which he lived, or by his personal sufferings in the cause of the church and monarchy. With the exception of a passage or two of extraordinary beauty, familiar to the lovers of old English verse, his works have long passed into unmerited obscurity; nor is it likely their reputation will ever be retrieved; the brilliant gems which occasionally relieve their general mediocrity, being too few to induce republication in a fastidious age. GEORGE WITHER. DIVINE SUPPORT. I SHOULD not care how hard my fortunes were, If thoughts yet present still may bide in me; Yea, now I see, methinks, what weak and vain Methinks, in this new rapture I do see Still might I keep this mind, there were enough FEAR OF DEATH A WEAKNESS. POOR feeble spirits, would you ne'er away, hearts, And add more courage to your better parts; But here a quality I call to mind, That I amongst the common people find; This 'tis, a weak one too :-When they perceive A friend near death, and ready now to leave This wretched life; and if they hear him say Some parting words, as if he might not stay: "Nay, say not so," (these comforters reply ;) "Take heart-your time's not come-you shall not die. |