VI. LYRICS PRINTED IN ALL ORIGINAL EDITIONS OF STANLEY.

The Breath. Favonius, the milder breath o’ th’ Spring, When proudly bearing on his softer wing Rich odours, which from the Panchean groves He steals, as by the phœnix-pyre he moves, Profusely doth his sweeter theft dispense5 To the next rose’s blushing innocence; But from the grateful flower, a richer scent He doth receive[26:1] than he unto it lent. Then, laden with his odour’s richest store, He to thy breath hastes, to which these are poor;10 Which, whilst the amorous wind[26:2] to steal essays, He like a wanton lover ’bout thee plays, And sometimes cooling thy soft cheek doth lie, And sometimes burning at thy flaming eye: Drawn in at last by that breath we implore,15 He now[26:3] returns far sweeter than before, And rich by being robb’d, in thee he finds The burning sweets of pyres, the cool of winds.

The Night: A Dialogue. Chariessa.[27:1] What if Night Should betray us, and reveal To the light All the pleasures that we steal? Philocharis. Fairest! we5 Safely may this fear despise: How can she See our actions, who wants eyes? Chariessa. Each dim star, And the clearer lights, we know,10 Night’s eyes are: They were blind that thought her so! Philocharis. Those pale fires Only burn to yield a light T’ our desires;15 And, though blind, to give us sight. Chariessa. By this shade That surrounds us, might our flame Be betray’d! And the day disclose its name.20 Philocharis. Dearest Fair! These dark witnesses, we find, Silent are: Night is dumb, as well as blind. Chorus. Then whilst these black shades conceal us,25 We will scorn Th’ envious morn, And the sun that would reveal us. Our flames shall thus their mutual light betray, And night, with these joys crown’d, outshine the day.30

Unalter’d by Sickness. Pale envious Sickness, hence! no more Possess her breast, too cold before. In vain, alas, thou dost invade A beauty that can never fade. } [28:1] Could all thy malice but impair5 One o’ th’ sweets which crown her fair;[28:2] Or steal the spirits from her eye; Or kiss into a paler dye The blooming[28:3] roses of her cheek; Our suffering[28:4] hopes might justly seek10 Redress from thee, and thou mightst save Thousands of lovers from the grave. But such assaults are vain, for she Is too divine to stoop to thee, Blest with a form as much too high15 For any change, as[28:5] Destiny, Which no attempt can violate: For what’s her beauty is our fate.

To Celia. EXCUSE FOR WISHING HER LESS FAIR.[29:1] Why thy passion should it move That I wished thy beauty less? Fools desire what is above Power of nature to express; And to wish it had been more5 Had been to outwish her store. If the flames within thine eye Did not too great heat inspire, Men might languish, yet not die, At thy less ungentle fire,10 } [29:2] And might on thy weaker light Gaze, and yet not lose their sight. Nor wouldst thou less fair appear, For detraction adds to thee; If some parts less beauteous were,15 Others would much fairer be; Nor can any part we know Best be styl’d, when all are so. Thus this great excess of light, Which now dazzles our weak eyes,20 Would, eclips’d, appear more bright; And the only way to rise, Or to be more fair, for[29:3] thee, Celia! is less fair to be.

Celia, Sleeping or Singing.[30:1] Roses, in breathing forth their scent, Or stars their borrowed ornament; Nymphs in the watery sphere that move, Or angels in their orbs above; The winged chariot of the light,5 Or the slow silent wheels of night; The shade which from the swifter sun Doth in a circular motion run, Or souls that their eternal rest do keep, Make far more[30:2] noise than Celia’s breath in sleep.10 But if the angel which inspires This subtle frame[30:3] with active fires, Should mould this[30:4] breath to words, and those Into a harmony dispose, The music of this heavenly sphere15 Would steal each soul out at the ear, And into plants and stones infuse A life that cherubim[30:5] would choose, And with new powers[30:6] invert the laws of fate: Kill those that live, and dead things animate.20

Palinode.[31:1] Beauty, thy harsh imperious chains As a scorn’d weight, I here untie, Since thy proud empire those disdains Of reason or philosophy, That would[31:2] within tyrannic laws5 Confine the power of each free cause. Forc’d by the potent[31:3] influence Of thy disdain, I back return: Thus with those flames I do dispense Which, though they would not light, did burn,10 And rather will through cold expire, Than languish at[31:4] a frozen fire. But whilst I the insulting pride Of thy vain beauty do despise, Who gladly wouldst be deified15 By making me thy sacrifice, May Love thy heart which to his charm Approach’d, seem’d cold, at distance warm!

The Return. Beauty, whose soft magnetic chains Nor time nor absence can untie,[32:1] Thy power the narrow bound[32:2] disdains Of Nature or Philosophy; Thou[32:3] canst by unconfined laws5 A motion, though at distance, cause. Drawn by the powerful[32:4] influence Of thy bright eyes, I back return; And since I nowhere can dispense With flames that[32:5] do in absence burn,10 I rather choose ’twixt[32:6] them t’expire, Than languish by a hidden fire. But if thou th’[32:7] insulting pride Of vulgar beauties dost despise, Who, by vain triumphs deified,15 Their votaries do sacrifice, Then let those flames, whose magic charm At distance scorch’d, approach’d, but warm.

Chang’d, Yet Constant. Wrong me no more In thy complaint, Blam’d for inconstancy: I vow’d t’ adore The fairest Saint,5 Nor chang’d whilst thou wert she: But if another thee outshine, Th’ inconstancy is only thine! To be by such Blind fools admir’d10 Gives thee but small esteem, By whom as much Thou’dst be desir’d, Didst thou less beauteous seem. Sure, why they love they know not well,15 Who why they should not, cannot tell! Women are by Themselves betray’d, And to their short joys cruel, Who foolishly20 Themselves persuade Flames can outlast their fuel; None (though platonic their pretence), With reason love, unless by sense. And he,[33:1] by whose25 Command to thee I did my heart resign, Now bids me choose A deity Diviner far than thine;30 No power can Love from Beauty sever: I’m still Love’s subject; thine was, never. The fairest she Whom none surpass, To love hath only right;35 And such to me Thy beauty was, Till one I found more bright; But ’twere as impious to adore Thee now, as not to have done ’t before.40 Nor is it just By rules of Love, Thou shouldst deny to quit A heart that must Another’s prove45 Even in thy right to it; Must not thy subjects captives be To her who triumphs over thee? Cease, then, in vain To blot my name50 With forg’d apostasy! Thine is that stain Who dar’st to claim What others ask of thee. Of lovers they are only true55 Who pay their hearts where hearts[33:2] are due.

To Chariessa, Beholding herself in a Glass.[34:1] Cast, Chariessa, cast that glass away; Not in its crystal face thine own survey. What can be free from Love’s imperious laws, When painted shadows real flames can cause? The fires may burn thee from this mirror rise,5 By the reflected beams of thine own eyes; And thus at last fall’n with thyself in love, Thou wilt my rival, thine own[34:2] martyr, prove. But if thou dost desire thy form to view, Look in my heart, where Love thy picture drew,10 And then, if pleas’d with thine own shape thou be, Learn how to love thyself by[34:3] loving me.

Song. When I lie burning in thine eye, Or freezing in thy breast, What martyrs, in wish’d flames that die, Are half so pleas’d or blest? When thy soft accents through mine ear5 Into my soul do fly, What angel would not quit his sphere, To hear such harmony? Or when the kiss thou gav’st me last My soul stole in its breath,10 What life would sooner be embrac’d Than so desir’d a death? When I commanded am by thee, (Or by thine eye or hand,) What monarch would not prouder be15 To serve than to command? } [35:1] Then think not[35:2] freedom I desire, Or would my fetters leave, Since, phœnix-like, I from this fire Both life and youth receive.20

Song. Fool! take up thy shaft again. If thy store Thou profusely spend in vain, Who can furnish thee with more? Throw not then away thy darts5 On impenetrable hearts. Think not thy pale flame can warm Into tears, Or dissolve the snowy charm Which her frozen bosom wears,10 That expos’d unmelted lies To the bright suns of her eyes. But since thou thy power hast lost, Nor canst fire Kindle in that breast, whose frost15 Doth these flames in mine inspire; Not to thee but her I’ll sue, That disdains both me and you!

Delay. Delay! Alas, there cannot be To Love a greater tyranny: Those cruel beauties that have slain Their votaries by their disdain, Or studied torments sharp and witty.5 Will be recorded for their pity, And after-ages be misled To think them kind, when this is spread. Of deaths the speediest is despair; Delays the slowest tortures are;10 Thy cruelty at once destroys, But expectation starves my joys. Time and Delay may bring me past The power of Love to cure, at last; And shouldst thou wish to ease my pain,15 Thy pity might be lent in vain. Or if thou hast decreed that I Must fall[36:1] beneath thy cruelty, O kill me soon! Thou wilt express More mercy, ev’n in showing less.20

The Repulse. Not that by this disdain I am releas’d, And, freed from thy romantic[37:1] chain, Do I myself think blest; Not that thy flame shall burn5 No more; for know That I shall into ashes turn Before this fire doth so. Nor yet that unconfin’d I now may rove,10 And with new beauties please my mind; But that thou ne’er didst love! For since thou hast no part Felt of this flame, I only from thy tyrant heart15 Repuls’d, not banish’d, am. To lose what once was mine Would grieve me more Than those inconstant sweets of thine Had pleas’d my soul before.20 Now I’ve not lost that[37:2] bliss I ne’er possessed; And, spite of Fate, am blest in this: That I was never blest.

Song. Celinda, by what potent art Or unresisted charm, Dost thou thine ear and frozen heart Against my passion arm? Or by what hidden influence5 Of powers in one combin’d, Dost thou rob Love of either sense, Made deaf as well as blind? Sure thou as friends[38:1] united hast Two distant deities,10 And scorn within thy heart hast plac’d, And love within thine eyes; Or those soft fetters of thy hair, (A bondage that disdains All liberty,) do guard thine ear15 Free from all other chains. Then my complaint how canst thou hear, Or I this passion fly, Since thou imprison’d hast thine ear, And not confin’d thine eye?20

The Tomb. When, cruel fair one, I am slain By thy disdain, And as a trophy of thy scorn To some old tomb am borne, Thy fetters must their power bequeath5 To those of Death; Nor can thy flame immortal burn Like monumental fires within an urn. Thus freed from thy proud empire, I shall prove There is more liberty in Death than Love.10 And when forsaken lovers come To see my tomb, Take heed thou mix not with the crowd, And, as a victor, proud To view the spoils thy beauty made,15 Press near my shade! Lest thy too cruel breath, or name, Should fan my ashes back into a flame. And thou, devour’d by this revengeful fire, His sacrifice, who died as thine, expire.20 } [39:1] Or should my dust thy pity move That could not, love, Thy sighs might wake me, and thy tears Renew my life and years; Or should thy proud insulting scorn25 Laugh at my urn, Kindly deceiv’d by thy disdain, I might be smil’d into new life again. Then come not near: since both thy love and hate Have equal power to kill[39:2] or animate.30 But if cold earth or marble must Conceal my dust, Whilst, hid in some dark ruins, I Dumb and forgotten lie, The pride of all thy victory35 Will sleep with me; And they who should attest thy glory Will or forget, or not believe this story. Then, to increase thy triumph, let me rest, (Since by thine eye slain,) buried in thy breast!40

To Celia. PLEADING WANT OF MERIT.[40:1] Dear, urge no more the killing cause Of our divorce: Love is not fetter’d by such laws, Nor bows to any force. Though thou deniest I should be thine,5 Yet say not thou deserv’st not to be mine! Oh, rather frown away my breath With thy disdain, Or flatter me with smiles to death; By joy or sorrow slain,10 ’Tis less crime to be kill’d by thee, Than I thus cause of mine[40:2] own death should be. Thyself of beauty to divest, And me of love, Or from the worth of thine own breast15 Thus to detract, would prove In us a blindness, and in thee At best a sacrilegious modesty. But, Celia,[40:3] if thou wilt despise What all admire,20 Nor rate thyself at the just price Of beauty or desire, Yet meet my flames! and thou shalt see That equal love knows no disparity.

The Kiss.[41:1] When on thy lip my soul I breathe, Which there meets thine, Freed from their fetters by this death, Our subtle forms[41:2] combine: Thus without bonds of sense they move,5 And like two cherubim converse by[41:3] love. Spirits to chains of earth confin’d Discourse by sense; But ours, that are by flames refin’d, With those weak ties dispense.10 Let such in words their minds display: We in a kiss our mutual thoughts convey.[41:4] But since my soul from me doth fly, To thee retir’d, Thou canst not both retain; for I15 Must be with one inspir’d; Then, Dearest,[41:5] either justly mine Restore, or in exchange let me have thine. Yet if thou dost return mine own, O tak’t again!20 For ’tis this pleasing death alone Gives ease unto my pain. Kill me once more, or I shall find Thy pity than thy cruelty less kind.

The Snowball. Doris, I that could repel All those darts about thee dwell, And had wisely learn’d to fear ’Cause I saw a foe so near; I that my deaf ear did arm5 ’Gainst thy voice’s powerful charm; And the lightning of thine eye Durst, by closing mine, defy; Cannot this cold snow withstand From the winter[42:1] of thy hand.10 Thy deceit hath thus done more Than thy open force before: For who could suspect or fear Treason in a face so clear, Or the hidden fires descry15 Wrapt in this cold outside lie? Flames might thus, involv’d in ice, The deceiv’d world sacrifice; Nature, ignorant of this Strange antiperistasis,20 Would her falling frame admire, That by snow were set on fire!

Speaking and Kissing. The air which thy smooth voice doth break Into my soul like lightning flies; My life retires whilst thou dost speak, And thy soft breath its room supplies. Lost in this pleasing ecstasy,5 I join my trembling lips to thine, And back receive that life from thee, Which I so gladly did resign. Forbear, platonic fools! t’inquire What numbers do the soul compose:10 No harmony can life inspire, But that which from these accents flows.

The Deposition.[43:1] Though when I lov’d thee thou wert[43:2] fair, Thou art no longer so: Those glories do[43:3] the pride they wear Unto opinion owe. Beauties, like stars, in borrow’d lustre shine;5 And ’twas my love that gave thee thine. The flames that dwelt within thine eye Do now with mine expire; Thy brightest graces[43:4] fade and die At once, with my desire.10 Love’s fires thus mutual influence return: Thine cease to shine when mine to burn. Then, proud Celinda, hope no more To be implor’d or woo’d, Since by thy scorn thou dost restore15 The wealth my[43:5] love bestow’d; And thy despis’d disdain too late shall find That none are fair but who are kind.

Love’s Heretic. He whose active thoughts disdain To be captive to one foe, And would break his single chain, Or else more would undergo, Let him learn the art of me,5 By new bondage to be free! What tyrannic mistress dare To one beauty Love confine? Who, unbounded as the air, All may court, but none decline.10 Why should we the heart deny As many objects as the eye? Wheresoe’er I turn or move, A new passion doth detain me: Those kind beauties that do love,15 Or those proud ones that disdain me. This frown melts, and that smile burns me; This to tears, that, ashes, turns me. Soft fresh virgins not full-blown With their youthful sweetness take me;20 Sober matrons that have known, Long since, what these prove, awake me; Here, staid coldness I admire, There, the lively active fire. She that doth by skill dispense25 Every favour she bestows, Or the harmless innocence Which nor court nor city knows;— Both alike my soul inflame, That wild beauty, and this tame.30 She that wisely can adorn Nature with the wealth of Art, Or whose rural sweets do scorn Borrow’d helps to[44:1] take a heart;— The vain care of that’s my pleasure;35 Poverty of this, my treasure. Both the wanton and the coy Me with equal pleasure[44:2] move; She whom I by force enjoy, Or who forceth me to love:40 This, because she’ll not confess, That, not hide, her happiness. She whose loosely flowing hair, (Scatter’d like the beams o’ th’ morn.) Playing with the sportive air,45 Hides the sweets it doth adorn, Captive in that net restrains me, In those golden fetters chains me; Nor doth she with power less bright My divided heart invade,50 Whose soft tresses spread, like night, O’er her shoulders a black shade; For the starlight of her eyes Brighter shines through those dark skies. Black, or fair, or tall, or low,55 I alike with all can sport, The bold sprightly Thaïs woo, Or the frozen vestal court: Every beauty takes my mind, Tied to all, to none confin’d.60

La Belle Confidante. You earthly souls that court a wanton flame, Whose pale weak influence Can rise no higher than the humble name And narrow laws of sense! Learn by our friendship to create5 An immaterial fire, Whose brightness angels may admire But cannot emulate. Sickness may fright the roses from her cheek, Or make the lilies fade,10 But all the subtle ways that Death doth seek Cannot my love invade. Flames that are kindled by the eye Through time and age expire, But ours, that boast a reach far higher,15 Cannot decay or die.[45:1] For[45:2] when we must resign our vital breath, Our loves by Fate benighted,[45:3] We by this friendship shall survive in death, Even in divorce united:20 Weak love, through fortune or distrust, In time forgets to burn, But this pursues us to the urn, And marries either’s dust.

La Belle Ennemie. I yield, dear enemy, nor know How to resist so fair a foe. Who would not thy soft yoke sustain, And bow beneath thy easy chain, That with a bondage blest might be5 Which far transcends all liberty? But since I freely have resign’d, At first assault, my willing mind, Insult not o’er my captiv’d heart With too much tyranny and art,10 Lest by thy scorn thou lose the prize Gain’d by the power of thy bright eyes; And thou this conquest thus shalt prove, Though got by beauty, kept by love.

Love Deposed. You that unto your mistress’ eyes Your hearts do sacrifice, And offer sighs or tears at Love’s rich shrine, Renounce with me Th’ idolatry,5 Nor this infernal power esteem divine! The brand, the quiver, and the bow, Which we did first bestow, And he as tribute wears from every lover, I back again10 From him have ta’en, And the impostor now unveil’d discover. I can the feeble Child disarm, Untie his mystic charm, Divest him of his wings, and break his arrow;15 We will obey No more his sway, Nor live confin’d to laws or bounds so narrow And you, bright Beauties, that inspire The Boy’s pale torch with fire,20 We safely now your subtle power despise, And unscorch’d may, Like atoms, play And wanton in the sunshine of your eyes. Nor think hereafter by new arts25 You can bewitch our hearts, Or raise this devil by your pleasing charm: We will no more His power implore, Unless, like Indians, that he do no harm.30

The Divorce. Dear, back my wounded heart restore, And turn away thy powerful eyes; Flatter my willing soul no more: Love must not[46:1] hope what Fate denies. Take, take away thy smiles and kisses!5 Thy love wounds deeper than disdain; For he that sees the heaven he misses, Sustains two hells of loss and pain. Shouldst thou some other’s suit prefer, I might return thy scorn to thee,10 And learn apostasy of her Who taught me, first, idolatry.[46:2] Or in thy unrelenting breast Should I[46:3] disdain or coyness move, He by thy hate might be releas’d,15 Who now is prisoner to thy love. } [46:4] Since, then, unkind Fate will divorce Those whom affection long united, Be thou as cruel as this force, And I in death shall be delighted.20 Thus whilst so many suppliants woo, And beg they may thy pity prove, } [46:5] I only for thy scorn do sue: ’Tis charity here not to love.

The Bracelet. Rebellious fools that scorn to bow Beneath Love’s easy sway, Whose stubborn wills no laws allow, Disdaining to obey, Mark but this wreath of hair, and you shall see5 None that might wear such fetters would be free. I once could boast a soul like you, As unconfin’d as air; But mine, which force could not subdue, Was caught within this snare;10 And by myself betray’d, I for this gold Have to mine enemy my freedom sold.[47:1] No longer now, wise Art, inquire, (With this vain search delighted,) How souls that human[47:2] breasts inspire15 Are to their frames united: Material chains such spirits well may bind, When this soft braid can tie both arm and mind. Now, Beauties, I defy your charm, Rul’d by more powerful art:20 This mystic wreath which crowns my arm Defends my vanquish’d heart;[47:3] And I, subdu’d by one more fair, shall be Secur’d from conquest by captivity.

The Farewell. Since Fate commands me hence, and I Must leave my soul with thee, and die, Dear, spare one sigh, or else let fall A tear to crown my funeral, That I may tell my grieved heart5 Thou art unwilling we should part; And martyrs that embrace the fire Shall with less joy than I expire. With this last kiss I will bequeath My soul, transfus’d into thy breath,10 Whose active heat shall gently slide Into thy breast, and there reside, And may, (in spite of Fate thus blest,) Be, in this death, of heaven possess’d.[48:1] Then prove but kind; and thou shalt see15 Love hath more power than Destiny.

The Exchange: Dialogue.[49:1] Phil[ocharis]. That kiss which last thou gav’st me, stole My fainting life away; Yet, though to thy breast fled, my soul Still in mine own doth stay. Weak Nature no such power doth know:5 Love only can these wonders show. } [49:2] Char[iessa]. And with the same warm breath did mine Into thy bosom slide, There dwell, contracted unto thine, Yet still with me reside.10 Weak Nature no such power doth know: Love only can these wonders show. Chor[us]. Both souls thus in desire are one, And each is two in skill, Doubled in intellect alone,15 United in the will. Weak Nature no such power doth know: Love only can these wonders show.

The Exequies. Draw near, You lovers, that complain Of Fortune or Disdain, And to my ashes lend a tear. Melt the hard marble with your groans,5 And soften the relentless stones, Whose cold embraces the sad subject hide Of all Love’s cruelties, and Beauty’s pride. } [50:1] No verse, No epicedium, bring;10 Nor peaceful requiem sing, To charm the terrors of my hearse; No profane numbers must flow near The sacred silence that dwells here. Vast griefs are dumb: softly, oh softly mourn!15 Lest you disturb the peace attends my urn. Yet strew Upon my dismal grave Such offerings as you have: Forsaken cypress, and sad yew;20 For kinder flowers can take no birth Or growth from such unhappy earth. Weep only o’er my dust, and say: “Here lies To Love and Fate an equal sacrifice.”

The Silkworm. The[51:1] silkworm, to long sleep retir’d, The early year hath re-inspir’d, Who now to pay to thee prepares The tribute of her pleasing cares; And hastens with industrious toil5 To make her ornament thy spoil.[51:2] See with what pains[51:3] she spins for thee The thread of her own destiny, Then, (growing proud in death, to know That all her curious labours thou[51:4]10 Wilt, as in triumph, deign to wear!) Retires to her soft sepulchre. Such, Dearest, is that hapless state To which I am design’d by Fate, Who, by thee willingly o’ercome,15 Work mine own fetters and my tomb.

Ambition. I must no longer now admire The coldness which possess’d Thy snowy breast, That can by other flames be set on fire; Poor Love, to harsh Disdain betray’d,5 Is by Ambition thus outweigh’d. Hadst thou but known the vast extent Of constant faith, how far ’Bove all that are Born slaves to wealth, or honours’ vain ascent;[52:1]10 No richer treasure couldst thou find Than hearts with mutual chains combin’d. But Love is too despis’d a name, And must not hope to rise Above these ties.15 Honours[52:2] and wealth outshine his paler flame! These unite souls, whilst true desire Unpitied dies in its own fire. Yet, cruel fair one, I did aim With no less justice too,20 Than those that sue For other hopes, and thy proud fortunes claim. Wealth honours, honours wealth, approve; But Beauty’s only meant for Love.

Song. When, dearest Beauty, thou shalt pay Thy faith and my vain hope away To some dull soul that cannot know The worth of that thou dost bestow; Lest[53:1] with my sighs and tears I might5 Disturb thy unconfin’d delight, To some dark shade I will retire, And there, forgot by all, expire. Thus, whilst the difference thou shalt prove Betwixt a feign’d and real love,10 Whilst he, more happy, but less true, Shall reap those joys I did pursue, And with those pleasures crowned be By Fate, which Love design’d for me, Then thou perhaps thyself wilt find15 Cruel too long, or too soon kind.

Song. I will not trust thy tempting graces, Or thy deceitful charms, Nor prisoner be to thy embraces, Or fetter’d in thy arms; No, Celia, no: not all thy art5 Can wound or captivate my heart. I will not gaze upon thy eyes, Or wanton with thy hair, Lest those should burn me by surprise, Or these my soul ensnare;10 Nor with those smiling dangers play, Or fool my liberty away. Since, then, my wary heart is free And unconfin’d as thine, If thou wouldst mine should captiv’d[54:1] be,15 Thou must thine own resign; And gratitude may thus move more Than love or beauty could before.

Song. No, I will sooner trust the wind, When, falsely kind, It courts the pregnant sails into a storm, And when the smiling waves persuade, Be willingly betray’d,5 Than thy deceitful vows or form. Go, and beguile some easy heart With thy vain art; Thy smiles and kisses on those fools bestow Who only see the calms that sleep10 On this smooth flattering deep, But not the hidden dangers know. They that, like me, thy falsehood prove, Will scorn thy love, Some may, deceiv’d at first, adore thy shrine;15 But he that as thy sacrifice Doth willingly fall twice, Dies his own martyr, and not thine.

Song. I prithee let my heart alone! Since now ’tis raised above thee: Not all the beauty thou dost own Again can make me love thee. He that was shipwreck’d once before5 By such a Siren’s call, And yet neglects to shun the[55:1] shore, Deserves his second fall! Each flattering kiss, each tempting smile Thou dost in vain bestow,10 Some other lovers might beguile Who not thy falsehood know. But I am proof against all art: No vows shall e’er persuade me Twice to present a wounded heart15 To her that hath betray’d me. Could I again be brought to love Thy form, though more divine, I might thy scorn as justly move As now thou sufferest mine.20

The Loss. Yet ere I go, Disdainful Beauty, thou shalt be So wretched as to know What joys thou fling’st away with me: A faith so bright,5 As Time or Fortune could not rust, So firm, that lovers might Have read thy story in my dust, And crown’d thy name With laurel verdant as thy youth.10 Whilst the shrill voice of Fame Spread wide thy beauty and my truth. This thou hast lost! For all true lovers, when they find That my just aims were crossed,15 Will speak thee lighter than the wind; And none will lay Any oblation on thy shrine, But such as would betray Their[56:1] faith to faiths as false as thine.20 Yet if thou choose On such thy freedom to bestow, Affection may excuse: For love from sympathy doth flow.

The Self-Cruel.[57:1] Cast off, for shame, ungentle maid, That misbecoming joy thou wear’st! For in my death (though long delay’d), Unwisely cruel thou appear’st. Insult o’er captives with disdain:5 Thou canst not triumph o’er the slain. No, I am now no longer thine; Nor canst thou take delight to see Him whom thy love did once confine Set, though by death, at liberty;10 For if my fall a smile beget, Thou gloriest in thy own defeat. Behold how thy unthrifty pride Hath murthered him that did maintain it; And wary souls who never tried15 Thy tyrant beauty, will disdain it: But I am softer, and, (though[57:2] me Thou wouldst not pity,) pity thee.

An Answer to a Song, “Wert thou much [?] Fairer than thou art,” by Mr. W. M.[58:1] Wert thou by all affections sought, And fairer than thou wouldst be thought, Or had thine eyes as many darts As thou believ’st they shoot at hearts, Yet if thy love were paid to me,5 I would not offer mine to thee. I’d sooner court a fever’s heat, Than her that owns a flame as[58:2] great. She that my love will entertain Must meet it with no less disdain;10 For mutual fires themselves destroy, And willing kisses yield no joy. I love thee not because alone Thou canst all beauty call thine own, Nor doth my passion fuel seek15 In thy bright eye or softer cheek. Then, Fairest! if thou wouldst know why: I love thee ’cause thou canst deny.

The Relapse.[59:1] O turn away those cruel eyes, The stars of my undoing! Or death, in such a bright disguise, May tempt a second wooing. Punish their blindly impious[59:2] pride,5 Who dare contemn thy glory! It was my fall[59:3] that deified Thy name, and seal’d thy story. Yet no new sufferings can prepare A higher praise to crown thee;10 Though my first death proclaim thee fair, My second will unthrone thee. Lovers will doubt thou canst entice No other for thy fuel, And if thou burn one victim twice,15 Both think thee poor and cruel!