IN youth, before I waxèd old, AS DIANE hunted on a day, One of his shafts, she stole away; Into the other's stead. With that, LOVE wounded my Love's heart; But DIANE, beasts with CUPID'S dart! I SAW, in secret, to my Dame, And said to her, 'All hail! my mother!' Not knowing VENUS from the other. 'Then never blush, CUPID!' quoth I, MARK, when She smiles with amiable cheer! Unto the fair sunshine, in summer's day, And to the light lift up their drooping head. So my storm-beaten heart likewise is cheered With that sunshine, when cloudy looks are cleared. SWEET Smile, the Daughter of the Queen of Love, When all the Gods he threats with thund'ring dart. Sweet is thy virtue, as thyself sweet art! For when on me thou shinedst late, in sadness, A melting pleasance ran through every part; And me revived with heart-[th]robbing gladness. Whilst wrapt with joy resembling heavenly madness, My soul was ravished quite, as in a trance; And feeling thence no more her sorrow's sadness, Fed on the fullness of that cheerful glance. More sweet than Nectar, or ambrosial meat, Seemed every bit, which thenceforth I did eat. 'I PRAY thee, LOVE! say, Whither is this posting? 'Thy conquering arrows broken in thy quiver, Thy brands, that wont the inward marrow sunder, Fireless and forceless, all-a-pieces shiver, With mickle wonder. 'That maketh, next, my stayless thoughts to hover; I cannot sound this uncouth cause of being! The veil is torn, that did thy visage cover; And thou art seeing!' ‘A stranger, one,' quoth Love, 'of good demerit, 'And, very now, upon this Maying morrow, By break of day, he found me at my harbour. I went with him, to understand his sorrow, Unto her arbour; 'Where he, love torments dolefully unfolded, 'Her great disdain against her Lover proved, Kindled my brand, that to her breast I seated ; The flames, between her paps them often moved; Nor burnt! nor heated! 'My arrows keen I afterward assayed! Which from her breast, without effect rebounded; And, as a ball, on marble floor they played; With force confounded. 'The brand that burnt old PRIAM'S town to ashes; 'Thus, while I said, She toward me arrived, The veil of error from mine eyes bereaved; I saw Heaven's Hope! and Earth her Treasury! "Well mayst thou err!" said I, "I am deceived! Bent to pleasure thee. "Cease, hapless man! my succours to importune! She only, She, my stratagems repelleth! Vainly endeavour I to tempt her fortune, That so excelleth! ""Content thee, man! that thou didst see and suffer! And be content to suffer, see, and die! And die content; thou once didst move her! She displeased thereby." 'And herewithal, I left the man adying; For, by his Passions, I perceived none other. WEEP you no more, sad fountains! View not your weeping! Softly; now softly lies Sleep is a reconciling ; A rest that peace begets! While She lies sleeping Softly; now softly lies Sleeping. |