Each flower has wept, and bow'd toward the east, Nay! not so much as out of bed? When all the birds have matins said, Whenas a thousand virgins on this day, Rise; and put on your foliage, and be seen Gems in abundance upon you: Besides, the childhood of the day has kept, Retires himself, or else stands still Till you come forth. Wash, dress, be brief in praying : Few beads are best, when once we go a Maying. Come, my Corinna, come; and coming, mark Or branch each porch, each door, ere this, Made up of white-thorn neatly interwove; The proclamation made for May: And sin no more, as we have done, by staying; There's not a budding boy, or girl, this day, Back, and with white-thorn laden home. Some have dispatch'd their cakes and cream, And some have wept, and woo'd, and plighted troth, Many a kiss, both odd and even: Many a jest told of the keys betraying This night, and locks pick'd :—yet we're not a Maying. —Come, let us go, while we are in our prime ; And take the harmless folly of the time! We shall grow old apace, and die Before we know our liberty. Our life is short; and our days run As fast away as does the sun :And as a vapour, or a drop of rain Once lost, can ne'er be found again: So when or you or I are made A fable, song, or fleeting shade; All love, all liking, all delight Lies drown'd with us in endless night. -Then while time serves, and we are but decaying, Come, my Corinna! come, let's go a Maying. THE ROCK OF RUBIES. Some ask'd me where the Rubies grew: And nothing I did say, But with my finger pointed to The lips of Julia. Some ask'd how Pearls did grow, and where: Then spoke I to my girl, To part her lips, and shew me there The quarrelets of Pearl. CANDLEMAS EVE. Down with the rosemary and bays, The holly hitherto did sway; Or Easter's eve appear. Then youthful box, which now hath grace Grown old, surrender must his place Unto the crispèd yew. When yew is out, then birch comes in, And many flowers beside, Both of a fresh and fragrant kin, To honour Whitsuntide. Green rushes then, and sweetest bents, With cooler oaken boughs, Come in for comely ornaments, To re-adorn the house. Thus times do shift; each thing his turn does hold; New things succeed, as former things grow old. THE NIGHT PIECE. Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, And the elves also, Whose little eyes glow Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee. No Will-o'th'-Wisp mis-light thee, But on, on thy way, Not making a stay, Since ghost there's none to affright thee. Let not the dark thee cumber; What though the moon does slumber? The stars of the night Will lend thee their light, Like tapers clear, without number. Then, Julia, let me woo thee, Thus, thus to come unto me; Thy silvery feet, My soul I'll-pour into thee. TO THE VIRGINS. Gather ye rose-buds while ye may: And this same flower that smiles to-day, The glorious lamp of heaven, the Sun, The sooner will his race be run, That age is best, which is the first, When youth and blood are warmer; But being spent, the worse, and worst Times, still succeed the former. -Then be not coy, but use your time, And while ye may, go marry ; For having lost but once your prime, You may for ever tarry. TO BLOSSOMS. Fair pledges of a fruitful tree, Why do ye fall so fast? Your date is not so past, But you may stay yet here a-while, And go at last. What, were ye born to be An hour or half's delight; But you are lovely leaves, where we Their end, though ne'er so brave : TO PRIMROSES FILLED WITH MORNING DEW. Why do ye weep, sweet babes? can tears Who were but born Just as the modest morn Teem'd her refreshing dew? Nor felt th' unkind Breath of a blasting wind, Nor are ye worn with years; Who think it strange to see, Such pretty flowers, like to orphans young, Speak, whimp'ring younglings, and make known Ye droop and weep; Is it for want of sleep, Or childish lullaby? Or that ye have not seen as yet Or brought a kiss From that Sweet-heart, to this? |