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XLVIII.

A HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER.

LT Thou forgive that sin where I begun,

WILT

Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin, through which I run
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.

Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin, and made my sins their door?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallowed in, a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by Thyself, that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine, as He shines now and heretofore:
And having done that, Thou hast done;

I fear no more.

XLIX.

WHOEVE

THE FUNERAL.

HOEVER comes to shroud me, do not harm
Nor question much

That subtle wreath of hair about mine arm;

The mystery, the sign you must not touch,
For 'tis my outward soul,

Viceroy to that which, then to heaven being gone,

Will leave this to control

And keep these limbs, her provinces, from dissolution.

For if the sinewy thread my brain lets fall
Through every part

Can tie those parts, and make me one of all,

The hairs, which upward grew, and strength and art

Have from a better brain,

Can better do't: except she meant that I

By this should know my pain,

As prisoners then are manacled, when they're condemned to die.

Whate'er she meant by 't, bury it with me!

For since I am

Love's martyr, it might breed idolatry

If into other hands these relics came.
As 'twas humility

To afford to it all that a soul can do,

So 'tis some bravery

That, since you would have none of me, I bury some of you.

[graphic]

L.

BEN JONSON, 1573-1637.

Q

HESPERUS' SONG.

UEEN and huntress, chaste and fair,

Now the sun is laid to sleep;

Seated in thy silver chair,
State in wonted manner keep.

Hesperus entreats thy light,
Goddess excellently bright.

Earth, let not thy envious shade
Dare itself to interpose;

Cynthia's shining orb was made

Heaven to clear, when day did close;
Bless us then with wished sight,
Goddess excellently bright.

Lay thy bow of pearl apart,

And thy crystal-shining quiver;

Ĝive unto the flying hart

Space to breathe, how short soever:

Thou that makest a day of night,
Goddess excellently bright.

LI.

CRISPINUS' AND HERMOGENES' SONG

F I freely can discover

I What would please me

in

my lover :
I would have her fair and witty,
Savouring more of court than city;
A little proud, but full of pity:
Light and humorous in her toying,
Oft building hopes, and soon destroying ;
Long, but sweet in the enjoying ;
Neither too easy, nor too hard :
All extremes I would have barred.

She should be allowed her passions,
So they were but used as fashions;

Sometimes froward, and then frowning,
Sometimes sickish, and then swooning,

Every fit with change still crowning.

Purely jealous I would have her,

Then only constant when I crave her.
'Tis a virtue should not save her.

Thus, nor her delicates would cloy me,
Neither her peevishness annoy me.

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