TRUE LOVE. LET me not to the marriage of true minds Or bends with the remover to remove.- O no! it is an ever fixed mark That looks on tempests, and is never shaken; Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. 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. SIR HENRY WOTTON. Born, 1568; Died, 1639. THE HAPPY LIFE. How happy is he born and taught Whose passions not his masters are, Not tied unto the world with care Who envies none that chance doth raise, Who hath his life from rumours freed, Who God doth late and early pray And entertains the harmless day With a religious book or friend! This man is freed from servile bands BEN JONSON. Born, 1574; Died, 1637. ON LUCY, COUNTESS OF BEDFORD. THIS morning, timely wrapt with holy fire, I thought to form unto my zealous Muse, What kind of creature I could most desire To honour, serve, and love; as poets use. I meant the day-star should not brighter rise, I meant she should be courteous, facile, sweet, Hating that solemn vice of greatness, pride; I meant each softest virtue there should meet, Fit in that softer bosom to reside. Only a learned and a manly soul I purposed her; that should with even powers, The rock, the spindle, and the shears control Of destiny, and spin her own free hours. Such when I meant to feign, and wish'd to see, My Muse bade Bedford write, and that was she! EPITAPH ON THE COUNTESS- THE NOBLE NATURE. It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make man better be ; Or standing long an oak, three hundred year, To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere : A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night,— In small proportions we just beauties see GEORGE SANDYS. Born, 1577; Died, 1643. PARAPHRASE OF THE CXLVIII. PSALM. You who dwell above the skies, You whom highest heaven embowers, Heaven of heavens, His praise declare : His deserved praise record, His who made you by His word, Made you evermore to last, Set your bounds not to be past. Vapours, lightning, hail and snow; Flowery hills, and mountains high; Cedars, neighbours to the sky; You who awful sceptres sway, Princes, judges of the earth, And united to His grace. Hallelujah! PHINEAS FLETCHER. Born, 1584; Died, 1650. TO FIND GOD. WEIGH me the fire; or canst thou find And taste thou them as saltless there |