TO PHYLLIS.
Reading edition
Phyllis! why should we delay Pleasures shorter than the day? Could we (which we never can!) Stretch our lives beyond their span, Beauty like a shadow flies, And our youth before us dies. Or would youth and beauty stay, Love hath wings, and will away. Love hath swifter wings than Time, Change in love to heaven does climb. 10 Gods, that never change their state, Vary oft their love and hate.
Phyllis! to this truth we owe All the love betwixt us two. Let not you and I inquire What has been our past desire; On what shepherds you have smiled, Or what nymphs I have beguiled; Leave it to the planets too, 19 What we shall hereafter do; For the joys we now may prove, Take advice of present love.