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النشر الإلكتروني

PART I-KNOWN AUTHORS

INHERITORS OF UNFULFILL'D RENOWN

SHELLEY

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WEET ROSE of virtue and of gentleness,
Delightsome Lily of every lustiness,
Richest in bounty and in beauty clear
And every virtue that to heaven is dear,
Except only that ye are merciless!

Into your garth this day I did pursue :
There saw I flowers that fresh were of hue,
Both white and red most lusty were to seen,
And wholesome herbis upon stalkis green;
Yet leaf nor flower find could I none of Rue.

I doubt that March, with his cold blastis keen,
Has slain this gentle herb that I of mene:
Whose piteous death does to my heart such pain
That I would make to plant his root again,
So comforting his leaves unto me been.

ADVICE TO LOVERS

IF ye would love and lovèd be,
In mind keep well these thingis three,
And sadly in thy breast imprent,—
Be secret, true, and patiènt!

For he that patience can not leir,
He shall displeasance have perquier,
Though he had all this worldis rent:
Be secret, true, and patiènt!

For who that secret can not be,
Him all good fellowship shall flee,

And credence none shall him be lent:
Be secret, true, and patiènt!

And he that is of heart untrue,
From he be ken'd, farewell! adieu !
Fie on him! fie! his fame is went :
Be secret, true, and patiènt !

Thus he that wants ane of these three
Ane lover glad may never be,

But

aye

in some thing discontent :

Be secret, true, and patient!

Nought with thy tongue thyself discure

The thingis thou hast of nature;
For if thou dost, thou should repent:

Be secret, true, and patient!

JOHN HEYWOOD

A PRAISE OF HIS LADY

IVE PLACE, you Ladies! and begone;

GIVE

Boast not yourselves at all!

For here at hand approacheth One
Whose face will stain you all.

The virtue of her lively looks
Excels the precious stone;

I wish to have none other books
To read or look upon.

In each of her two crystal eyes
Smileth a naked boy:

It would you all in heart suffice
To see that lamp of joy.

I think Nature hath lost the mould
Where She her shape did take;
Or else I doubt if Nature could
So fair a creature make.

She may be very well compared

Unto the Phoenix kind,

Whose like was never seen or heard

That any man can find.

In life she is Diana chaste,

In truth Penelope ;

In word and eke in deed steadfast:

What will you more we say?

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