When all aloud the wind doth blow,
And coughing drowns the Parson's saw;
And birds sit brooding in the snow,

And MARIAN's nose looks red and raw;
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl:
Then nightly sings the staring Owl, &c.

ALL.

TELL me, Where is Fancy bred?
Or in the heart, or in the head?
How begot? How nourished?
Reply! Reply!

It is engendered in the eye[s];
With gazing fed; and Fancy dies
In the cradle where it lies.

Let us all ring Fancy's knell!
I'll begin it!

Ding, dong, bell!

Ding, dong, bell!

WHERE the bee sucks, there suck I!
In a cowslip's bell I lie!

There I couch, when owls do cry!
On the bat's back, I do fly,
After summer, merrily!

Merrily, merrily, shall I live now,

Under the blossom that hangs on the bough!

LET me not, to the marriage of true minds,
Admit impediments! Love is not love,
Which alters, when it alteration finds;

Or bends, with the remover to remove!
O, no! It is an ever fixèd mark,

That looks on tempests, and is never shaken. It is the star to every wand'ring bark;

[taken. Whose worth's unknown, although his height be Love's not Time's fool! though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come. Love alters not, with his brief hours and weeks; But bears it out, even to the edge of Doom! If this be error, and upon me proved; I never writ, nor no man ever loved!

BETWIXT mine Eye and Heart, a league is took; And each doth good turns now unto the other. When that mine Eye is famished for a look;

Or Heart in love, with sighs himself doth smother: With my Love's picture, then my Eye doth feast; And to the painted banquet bids my Heart. Another time mine Eye is my Heart's guest;

And in his thoughts of love doth share a part. So, either by thy picture, or my love,

Thyself, away, art present still with me! For thou, nor farther than my thoughts canst move: And I am still with them; and they, with thee! Or if they sleep, thy picture in my sight Awakes my Heart! to Heart's and Eye's delight.

THE THREE CASKETS.

['The Merchant of Venice.']

THE GOLD CASKET.

The Inscription outside. WHO chooseth me, shall gain what many men desire.

The Scroll inside.

All that glisters is not gold.
Often have you heard that told!
Many a man, his life hath sold
But my outside to behold!
Gilded timber do worms infold!

Had you been as wise as bold,
Young in limbs, in judgement old;
Your answer had not been inscrolled,
Fare you well! Your suit is cold!

THE SILVER Casket.

The Inscription outside.

Who chooseth me, shall get as much as he deserves.

The Scroll inside.

The fire seven times tried this!

Seven times tried, that judgement is,

That did never choose amiss!
Some there be that shadows kiss;
Such have but a shadow's bliss!
There be fools alive iwis,
Silvered o'er; and so was this!

Take what wife you will, to bed;

I will ever be your head!

So begone! You are sped!

THE LEAD CASKET.

The Inscription outside.

Who chooseth me, must give and hazard all he hath.

The Scroll inside.

You that choose not by the view,
Chance as fair, and choose as true!
Since this fortune falls to you;
Be content, and seek no new!

If you be well pleased with this,
And hold your fortune for your bliss;
Turn you, where your Lady is;
And claim her, with a loving kiss!

GUIDERIUS. FEAR no more the heat o' th' sun;
Nor the furious winter's rages!
Thou, thy worldly task hast done;
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages!
Golden Lads and Girls, all must,
As Chimney-sweepers, come to dust!

ARVIRAGUS. Fear no more the frown o' th' Great!
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke!
Care no more to clothe and eat!
To thee, the reed is as the oak!

The Sceptre, Learning, Physic must
All follow this; and come to dust!

GUID. Fear no more the lightning flash!
ARVI. Nor th' all-dreadèd thunderstone!
GUID. Fear not slander, censure rash!
ARVI.

Thou hast finished joy and moan!

BOTH.

All Lovers young, all Lovers must
Consign to thee; and come to dust!

GUID.

ARVI.

GUID.

ARVI.

BOTH.

No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid, forbear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have;
And renownèd be thy grave!