LINES IN THE STYLE OF SUCKLING.
Reading edition
Mr. Editor,—The following lines are written in pencil on sheet 61. of the Notes of the Debates in the Long Parliament, taken down in the House of Commons by Sir Ralph Verney. The Notes of Debates, but not these lines, were published by the Camden Society in 1845. For any thing that appears to the contrary, these lines may have been written in the House as well as the Notes of Debates. The sheet 61. refers to debates which took place in March 1641-2. I am not aware that the lines have been published, nor can I assign them to their author. If any of your readers can tell me anything about them, I shall esteem it a favour.
Wert thou yet fairer than thou art, Which lies not in the power of art; Or hadst thou, in thine eyes, more darts Than Cupid ever shot at hearts; Yet, if they were not thrown at me, I could not cast one thought at thee. I'd rather marry a disease Than court the thing I cannot please; She that will cherish my desires, Must feed my flames with equal fires. What pleasure is there in a kiss, To him that doubts the heart's not his? I love thee, not 'cause thou art fair, Smoother than down, softer than air, Nor for those Cupids that do lie In either corner of thine eye; Will you then know what it may be? 'Tis—I love you 'cause you love me.
J. BRUCE.
24th Oct. 1849