WHY SO PALE AND WAN? BY SIR JOHN SUCKLING.
Reading edition
Sir John Suckling was born in Whitton in 1609. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge, and afterwards entered the service of the King, Charles I. He fought in the army of Gustavus Adolphus in 1631–32; while in 1639 he levied a troop of horse against the Covenanters. He was a member of the long parliament in 1640. The next year he was charged with high treason and fled to Paris, where he was supposed to have committed suicide in 1642. Though he wrote several plays, he is chiefly noted for his poems.
Why so pale and wan, fond lover? Prithee, why so pale? Will, when looking well can’t move her, Looking ill prevail? Prithee, why so pale?
Why so dull and mute, young sinner? Prithee, why so mute? Will, when speaking well can’t win her, Saying nothing do’t? Prithee, why so mute?
Quit, quit, for shame; this will not move; This cannot take her. If of herself she will not love, Nothing can make her; The devil take her!