MEL. Yet, what is Love? Good Shepherd, show! FAU. A thing that creeps. It cannot go.
A prize that passeth to and fro;
A thing for one; a thing for mo.
And he that proves, must find it so.
And, Shepherd, this is Love, I trow!
MANY desire; but few, or none, deserve
To foil the fort of thy most constant will.
Wherefore, take heed! Let fancy never swerve
But unto him that will defend thee still!
For this, be sure! The fort of fame once won;
Farewell, the rest! Thy happy days are done!
Many desire; but few, or none, deserve
To pluck the branch, and let the flower fall.
Wherefore, take heed! Let fancy never swerve
But unto him, that will take leaves and all!
For this, be sure! The flower once plucked away;
Farewell, the rest! The branch will soon decay!
Many desire; but few, or none, deserve
To cut the corn, not subject to the sickle.
Wherefore, take heed! Let fancy never swerve;
But constant stand! for mowers' minds are fickle!
For this, be sure! The crop being once obtained;
Farewell, the rest! The soil will be disdained!
FAIN Would I; but I dare not!
I dare; but yet I may not!
I may; although I care not
For pleasure, when I play not!
You laugh; because you like not!
I jest; and yet I joy not!
You pierce; although you strike not!
I strike; and yet annoy not!
I spy; when as I speak not!
Full oft I speak, and speed not!
But of my wounds, you reck not!
Because you see, they bleed not.
Yet bleed they, when you see not!
But you, the pains endure not!
Of noble minds, they be not,
That ever kill and cure not!
I see; when as I view not!
I wish; although I crave not!
I serve; and yet I sue not!
I hope for that I have not!
I catch; although I hold not!
I burn; although I flame not!
I seem; when as I would not;
And when I seem, I am not!
Yours I am; though I seem not!
And will be; though I show not!
My outward deeds, then deem not;
When mine intent you know not!
But if my service prove not
Most sure, although I sue not;
Withdraw your mind, and love not!
Nor of my ruin rue not!
LIKE to a hermit poor, in place obscure,
I mean to spend my days of endless doubt!
To wail such woes, as time cannot recure!
Where none but LovE shall ever find me out.
My food shall be, of care and sorrow made.
My drink nought else but tears fall'n from mine eyes.
And for my light, in such obscurèd shade,
The flames shall serve, which from my heart arise.
A Gown of gray my body shall attire.
My Staff, of broken hope, whereon I'll stay.
Of late repentance, linked with long desire,
The Couch is framed; whereon my limbs I'll lay.
And at my Gate, Despair shall linger still,
To let in Death; when Love and Fortune will.
Go, Soul, the Body's guest,
Upon a thankless arrant!
Fear not to touch the best!
The truth shall be thy warrant!
Go, since I needs must die,
And give the World the lie!
Say to the Court, it glows
And shines like rotten wood! Say to the Church, it shows What's good; and doth no good! If Church and Court reply; Then give them both the lie!
Tell Potentates, they live
Acting by others' action;
Not loved, unless they give;
Not strong, but by affection.
If Potentates reply;
Give Potentates the lie!
Tell men of high condition,
That manage the Estate,
Their purpose is ambition;
Their practice, only hate!
And if they once reply;
Then give them all the lie!
Tell them that brave it most;
They beg for more, by spending! Who, in their greatest cost, Like nothing but commending. And if they make reply; Then give them all the lie!
Tell Zeal, it wants devotion !
Tell Love, it is but lust!
Tell Time, it meets but motion!
Tell Flesh, it is but dust!
And wish them not reply;
For thou must give the lie!
Tell Age, it daily wasteth!
Tell Honour, how it alters!
Tell Beauty, how she blasteth!
Tell Favour, how it falters!
And as they shall reply;
Give every one the lie!
Tell Wit, how much it wrangles
In tickle points of niceness!
Tell Wisdom, she entangles
Herself in overwiseness!
And when they do reply;
Straight give them both the lie!
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