I press to bear no haughty sway; Look, what I lack my mind supplies: Some have too much, yet still do crave; They poor, I rich; they beg, I give; I laugh not at another's loss; I grudge not at another's gain; Some weigh their pleasure by their lust, A cloaked craft their store of skill: My wealth is health and perfect ease; Nor by deceit to breed offense: -Edward Dyer TO ALTHEA FROM PRISON When Love with unconfinèd wings The Gods that wanton in the air When flowing cups run swiftly round Our careless heads with roses bound, Know no such liberty. When (like committed linnets) I With shriller throat shall sing Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage; Minds innocent and quiet take That for an hermitage; If I have freedom in my love Richard Lovelace TO LUCASTA, ON GOING TO THE WARS Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind, That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind, True, a new mistress now I chase, And with a stronger faith embrace Yet this inconstancy is such I could not love thee, Dear, so much, Richard Lovelace THE NOBLE NATURE It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make man better be; A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night, It was the plant and flower of Light. In small proportions we just beauties see, And in short measures life may perfect be. Ben Jonson And I'll not look for wine. The thirst that from the soul doth rise But might I of Jove's nectar sup, I sent thee late a rosy wreath, But thou thereon didst only breathe And sent'st it back to me; Since when it grows, and smells, I swear, Not of itself but thee! - Ben Jonson A SEA DIRGE FROM The Tempest Full fathom five thy father lies: Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes: Ding, dong, bell. -William Shakespeare SONGS OF THE GREENWOOD FROM As You Like It I Under the greenwood tree, Unto the sweet bird's throat Come hither, come hither, come hither! No enemy But winter and rough weather. Who doth ambition shun And pleased with what he gets No enemy But winter and rough weather. |