1648. To Daisies, Not to Shut so Soon Bid me to weep, and I will weep While I have eyes to see: Bid me despair, and I'll despair E'en death to die for thee. Thou art my life, my love, my heart, The very eyes of me: And hast command of every part To live and die for thee. 16 20 24 Robert Herrick. TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT SO SOON SHUT not so soon; the dull-eyed night Has not as yet begun To make a seizure on the light, 1648. Stay but till my Julia close Her life-begetting eye, And let the whole world then dispose 12 Robert Herrick. THE NIGHT-PIECE, TO JULIA HER eyes the glow-worm lend thee, Whose little eyes glow Like sparks of fire, befriend thee. No Will-o'-the-wisp mislight thee, Not making a stay, 5 Since ghost there 's none to affright thee. 10 Let not the dark thee cumber: What though the moon does slumber? The stars of the night Will lend thee their light TO LUCASTA, GOING BEYOND THE SEAS IF to be absent were to be Away from thee; Or that when I am gone You or I were alone; Then, my Lucasta, might I crave Pity from blustering wind or swallowing wave. But I'll not sigh one blast or gale To swell my sail, Or pay a tear to 'suage The foaming blue god's rage; Or no, I'm still as happy as I was. Though seas and land betwixt us both, Our faith and troth, Like separated souls, All time and space controls: Above the highest sphere we meet, Unseen, unknown; and greet as Angels greet. So then we do anticipate Our after-fate, 12 18 6 And are alive i' the skies, If thus our lips and eyes Can speak like spirits unconfined In Heaven, their earthy bodies left behind. 1649. 24 Richard Lovelace. TO ALTHEA FROM PRISON WHEN Love with unconfinèd wings Hovers within my gates, To whisper at my grates; And fettered with her eye, The birds that wanton in the air Know no such liberty. When flowing cups run swiftly round Our careless heads with roses crowned, When thirsty grief in wine we steep, When healths and draughts go free, Know no such liberty. When (like committed linnets) I 8 16 The Lark Now Leaves His Wat'ry Nest 1649. When I shall voice aloud how good He is, how great should be, The enlarged winds, that curl the flood, Know no such liberty. Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage; Minds innocent and quiet take Angels alone, that soar above, 24 32 Richard Lovelace. "THE LARK NOW LEAVES HIS WAT'RY NEST" THE lark now leaves his wat'ry nest, And to implore your light he sings- The merchant bows unto the seaman's star, Who look for day before his mistress wakes. Awake, awake! break thro' your veils of lawn! Then draw your curtains, and begin the dawn! 12 Sir William Davenant. 1672. |