NTO the boundless ocean of thy beauty, Runs this poor river, charged with streams of zeal, Which here my love, my youth, my plaints reveal: Here, I have summed my sighs; here, I enrol How they were spent for thee! Look what they are; Look on the dear expences of my youth, And see how just I reckon with thine eyes; Examine well thy beauty with my truth; And cross my cares, ere greater sums arise. Read it, sweet Maid! though it be done but slightly: SYREN. OME, worthy Greeke, Ulysses come, Here may we sit and view their toyle, Enjoy the day in mirth the while, ULYSSES. Faire nymph, if fame or honour were To be attained with ease, Then would I come and rest with thee, And leave such toiles as these: But here it dwels, and here must I With danger seek it forth, Ulysses, O be not deceived With that unreall name: This honour is a thing conceived, SYREN. Begotten only to molest Our peace, and to beguile (The best thing of our life) our rest, And give us up to toyle! QUEEN ELIZABETH. 1533-1603. GRIEVE, and dare not show my discontent; I do, yet dare not say I ever meant ; I seem stark mute, yet inwardly do prate : I am, and not; I freeze, and yet am burned, Since from myself my other self I turned. My care is like my shadow in the sun, Follows me flying, flies when I pursue it; Stands and lies by me; does what I have done; This too familiar care does make me rue it : No means I find to rid him from my breast, Till by the end of things it be supprest. Some gentler passions slide into my mind, Let me or float or sink; be high or low; ANONYMOUS. 1555. Y minde to me a kingdom is; Such perfect joy therein I finde That GOD or Nature hath assignde: Content I live, this is my stay; I seek no more than may suffice: I see how plentie surfets oft, And hastie clymbers soonest fall: I see that such as sit aloft Mishap doth threaten most of all: These get with toile, and keep with feare: No princely pompe, nor welthie store, No wylie wit to salve a sore, No shape to winne a lovers eye; To none of these I yeeld as thrall, For why my mind despiseth all. Some have too much, yet still they crave; They poor, I rich; they beg, I give; I laugh not at anothers losse, I grudge not at anothers gaine; |