Loves diet.

ILONG to talke with some old lovers ghost,Who dyed before the god of Love was borne:I cannot thinke that hee, who then lov'd most,Sunke so low, as to love one which did scorne.5But since this god produc'd a destinie,And that vice-nature, custome, lets it be;I must love her, that loves not mee.Sure, they which made him god, meant not so much,Nor he, in his young godhead practis'd it;10But when an even flame two hearts did touch,His office was indulgently to fitActives to passives. CorrespondencieOnly his subject was; It cannot beeLove, till I love her, that loves mee.15But every moderne god will now extendHis vast prerogative, as far as Jove.To rage, to lust, to write to, to commend,All is the purlewe of the God of Love.Oh were wee wak'ned by this Tyrannie20To ungod this child againe, it could not beeI should love her, who loves not mee.Rebell and Atheist too, why murmure I,As though I felt the worst that love could doe?Love might make me leave loving, or might trie25A deeper plague, to make her love mee too,Which, since she loves before, I'am loth to see;Falshood is worse then hate; and that must bee,If shee whom I love, should love mee.

ILONG to talke with some old lovers ghost,Who dyed before the god of Love was borne:I cannot thinke that hee, who then lov'd most,Sunke so low, as to love one which did scorne.5But since this god produc'd a destinie,And that vice-nature, custome, lets it be;I must love her, that loves not mee.

ILONG to talke with some old lovers ghost,

Who dyed before the god of Love was borne:

I cannot thinke that hee, who then lov'd most,

Sunke so low, as to love one which did scorne.

5But since this god produc'd a destinie,

And that vice-nature, custome, lets it be;

I must love her, that loves not mee.

Sure, they which made him god, meant not so much,Nor he, in his young godhead practis'd it;10But when an even flame two hearts did touch,His office was indulgently to fitActives to passives. CorrespondencieOnly his subject was; It cannot beeLove, till I love her, that loves mee.

Sure, they which made him god, meant not so much,

Nor he, in his young godhead practis'd it;

10But when an even flame two hearts did touch,

His office was indulgently to fit

Actives to passives. Correspondencie

Only his subject was; It cannot bee

Love, till I love her, that loves mee.

15But every moderne god will now extendHis vast prerogative, as far as Jove.To rage, to lust, to write to, to commend,All is the purlewe of the God of Love.Oh were wee wak'ned by this Tyrannie20To ungod this child againe, it could not beeI should love her, who loves not mee.

15But every moderne god will now extend

His vast prerogative, as far as Jove.

To rage, to lust, to write to, to commend,

All is the purlewe of the God of Love.

Oh were wee wak'ned by this Tyrannie

20To ungod this child againe, it could not bee

I should love her, who loves not mee.

Rebell and Atheist too, why murmure I,As though I felt the worst that love could doe?Love might make me leave loving, or might trie25A deeper plague, to make her love mee too,Which, since she loves before, I'am loth to see;Falshood is worse then hate; and that must bee,If shee whom I love, should love mee.

Rebell and Atheist too, why murmure I,

As though I felt the worst that love could doe?

Love might make me leave loving, or might trie

25A deeper plague, to make her love mee too,

Which, since she loves before, I'am loth to see;

Falshood is worse then hate; and that must bee,

If shee whom I love, should love mee.

Loves Deitie.1633-69,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TCC,TCD:Elegye.P8 much,1639-69:much:1633:much?16359 it;Ed:it.1633-6913 subject]Subject 166914 Love, ... mee.1633,1669,A25,B,C,Cy,D,H40(who),H49,JC,L74,N,P,S(lov'd),TCD:Love, if I love, who loves not me.1635-54,O'F19 Oh ... wak'ned] Were we not weak'ned166921 That I should love, who loves not me.A18,A25,C,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,P,S,S96,TC:O'F reads as these but alters to as in printed edd.24 might makeA18,A25,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,L74,N,P,S,S96,TC:may make1633-69,Lec26 Which,] Which1633

Loves Deitie.1633-69,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TCC,TCD:Elegye.P

8 much,1639-69:much:1633:much?1635

9 it;Ed:it.1633-69

13 subject]Subject 1669

14 Love, ... mee.1633,1669,A25,B,C,Cy,D,H40(who),H49,JC,L74,N,P,S(lov'd),TCD:Love, if I love, who loves not me.1635-54,O'F

19 Oh ... wak'ned] Were we not weak'ned1669

21 That I should love, who loves not me.A18,A25,C,Cy,D,H49,JC,L74,Lec,N,P,S,S96,TC:O'F reads as these but alters to as in printed edd.

24 might makeA18,A25,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,L74,N,P,S,S96,TC:may make1633-69,Lec

26 Which,] Which1633

Note

TO what a combersome unwieldinesseAnd burdenous corpulence my love had growne,But that I did, to make it lesse,And keepe it in proportion,5Give it a diet, made it feed uponThat which love worst endures,discretion.Above one sigh a day I'allow'd him not,Of which my fortune, and my faults had part;And if sometimes by stealth he got10A she sigh from my mistresse heart,And thought to feast on that, I let him see'Twas neither very sound, nor meant to mee.If he wroung from mee'a teare, I brin'd it soWith scorne or shame, that him it nourish'd not;15If he suck'd hers, I let him know'Twas not a teare, which hee had got,His drinke was counterfeit, as was his meat;For, eyes which rowle towards all, weepe not, but sweat.What ever he would dictate, I writ that,20But burnt my letters; When she writ to me,And that that favour made him fat,I said, if any title beeConvey'd by this, Ah, what doth it availe,To be the fortieth name in an entaile?25Thus I reclaim'd my buzard love, to flyeAt what, and when, and how, and where I chuse;Now negligent of sport I lye,And now as other Fawkners use,I spring a mistresse, sweare, write, sigh and weepe:30And the game kill'd, or lost, goe talke, and sleepe.

TO what a combersome unwieldinesseAnd burdenous corpulence my love had growne,But that I did, to make it lesse,And keepe it in proportion,5Give it a diet, made it feed uponThat which love worst endures,discretion.

TO what a combersome unwieldinesse

And burdenous corpulence my love had growne,

But that I did, to make it lesse,

And keepe it in proportion,

5Give it a diet, made it feed upon

That which love worst endures,discretion.

Above one sigh a day I'allow'd him not,Of which my fortune, and my faults had part;And if sometimes by stealth he got10A she sigh from my mistresse heart,And thought to feast on that, I let him see'Twas neither very sound, nor meant to mee.

Above one sigh a day I'allow'd him not,

Of which my fortune, and my faults had part;

And if sometimes by stealth he got

10A she sigh from my mistresse heart,

And thought to feast on that, I let him see

'Twas neither very sound, nor meant to mee.

If he wroung from mee'a teare, I brin'd it soWith scorne or shame, that him it nourish'd not;15If he suck'd hers, I let him know'Twas not a teare, which hee had got,His drinke was counterfeit, as was his meat;For, eyes which rowle towards all, weepe not, but sweat.

If he wroung from mee'a teare, I brin'd it so

With scorne or shame, that him it nourish'd not;

15If he suck'd hers, I let him know

'Twas not a teare, which hee had got,

His drinke was counterfeit, as was his meat;

For, eyes which rowle towards all, weepe not, but sweat.

What ever he would dictate, I writ that,20But burnt my letters; When she writ to me,And that that favour made him fat,I said, if any title beeConvey'd by this, Ah, what doth it availe,To be the fortieth name in an entaile?

What ever he would dictate, I writ that,

20But burnt my letters; When she writ to me,

And that that favour made him fat,

I said, if any title bee

Convey'd by this, Ah, what doth it availe,

To be the fortieth name in an entaile?

25Thus I reclaim'd my buzard love, to flyeAt what, and when, and how, and where I chuse;Now negligent of sport I lye,And now as other Fawkners use,I spring a mistresse, sweare, write, sigh and weepe:30And the game kill'd, or lost, goe talke, and sleepe.

25Thus I reclaim'd my buzard love, to flye

At what, and when, and how, and where I chuse;

Now negligent of sport I lye,

And now as other Fawkners use,

I spring a mistresse, sweare, write, sigh and weepe:

30And the game kill'd, or lost, goe talke, and sleepe.

Loves diet.1633-69,A18,A25,B,C,Cy,D,H40,H49,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TCC(torn out of TCD): Amoris Dieta.S9612 mee.Ed:mee;1633-35:mee:1639-6918 For,] Her166919 Whatever ... that,1633-39,1669:Whate'er might him distast I still writ that,1650-54:Whatsoever hee would distast I writt that,A18,N,TC20 But burnt my letters; When she writ to me,1633:But burnt her letters when she writ to me,1635:But burnt her letters when she writ to me;1639-54,Chambers:But burnt my letters which she writ to me;166921 that that1633:if that1635-69.See note24 name] man166925 reclaim'd1635-69,A18,A25,B,D,H40,H49,L74,N,O'F,S,TCC:redeem'd1633,Lec26 chuse] chose166927 sport1635-69,A18,B,D,H40,H49,L74,Lec,S,S96,TCC:sports,163330 and1633 and most MSS.:or1635-69,Cy,O'F,S

Loves diet.1633-69,A18,A25,B,C,Cy,D,H40,H49,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,TCC(torn out of TCD): Amoris Dieta.S96

12 mee.Ed:mee;1633-35:mee:1639-69

18 For,] Her1669

19 Whatever ... that,1633-39,1669:Whate'er might him distast I still writ that,1650-54:Whatsoever hee would distast I writt that,A18,N,TC

20 But burnt my letters; When she writ to me,1633:But burnt her letters when she writ to me,1635:But burnt her letters when she writ to me;1639-54,Chambers:But burnt my letters which she writ to me;1669

21 that that1633:if that1635-69.See note

24 name] man1669

25 reclaim'd1635-69,A18,A25,B,D,H40,H49,L74,N,O'F,S,TCC:redeem'd1633,Lec

26 chuse] chose1669

27 sport1635-69,A18,B,D,H40,H49,L74,Lec,S,S96,TCC:sports,1633

30 and1633 and most MSS.:or1635-69,Cy,O'F,S

Note

BEFORE I sigh my last gaspe, let me breath,Great love, some Legacies; Here I bequeathMine eyes toArgus, if mine eyes can see,If they be blinde, then Love, I give them thee;5My tongue to Fame; to'Embassadours mine eares;To women or the sea, my teares.Thou, Love, hast taught mee heretoforeBy making mee serve her who'had twenty more,That I should give to none, but such, as had too much before.10My constancie I to the planets give;My truth to them, who at the Court doe live;Mine ingenuity and opennesse,To Jesuites; to Buffones my pensivenesse;My silence to'any, who abroad hath beene;15My mony to a Capuchin.Thou Love taught'st me, by appointing meeTo love there, where no love receiv'd can be,Onely to give to such as have an incapacitie.My faith I give to Roman Catholiques;20All my good works unto the SchismaticksOf Amsterdam; my best civilityAnd Courtship, to an Universitie;My modesty I give to souldiers bare;My patience let gamesters share.25Thou Love taughtst mee, by making meeLove her that holds my love disparity,Onely to give to those that count my gifts indignity.I give my reputation to thoseWhich were my friends; Mine industrie to foes;30To Schoolemen I bequeath my doubtfulnesse;My sicknesse to Physitians, or excesse;To Nature, all that I in Ryme have writ;And to my company my wit.Thou Love, by making mee adore35Her, who begot this love in mee before,Taughtst me to make, as though I gave, when I did but restore.To him for whom the passing bell next tolls,I give my physick bookes; my writen rowlesOf Morall counsels, I to Bedlam give;40My brazen medals, unto them which liveIn want of bread; To them which passe amongAll forrainers, mine English tongue.Thou, Love, by making mee love oneWho thinkes her friendship a fit portion45For yonger lovers, dost my gifts thus disproportion.Therefore I'll give no more; But I'll undoeThe world by dying; because love dies too.Then all your beauties will bee no more worthThen gold in Mines, where none doth draw it forth;50And all your graces no more use shall haveThen a Sun dyall in a grave.Thou Love taughtst mee, by making meeLove her, who doth neglect both mee and thee,To'invent, and practise this one way, to'annihilate all three.

BEFORE I sigh my last gaspe, let me breath,Great love, some Legacies; Here I bequeathMine eyes toArgus, if mine eyes can see,If they be blinde, then Love, I give them thee;5My tongue to Fame; to'Embassadours mine eares;To women or the sea, my teares.Thou, Love, hast taught mee heretoforeBy making mee serve her who'had twenty more,That I should give to none, but such, as had too much before.

BEFORE I sigh my last gaspe, let me breath,

Great love, some Legacies; Here I bequeath

Mine eyes toArgus, if mine eyes can see,

If they be blinde, then Love, I give them thee;

5My tongue to Fame; to'Embassadours mine eares;

To women or the sea, my teares.

Thou, Love, hast taught mee heretofore

By making mee serve her who'had twenty more,

That I should give to none, but such, as had too much before.

10My constancie I to the planets give;My truth to them, who at the Court doe live;Mine ingenuity and opennesse,To Jesuites; to Buffones my pensivenesse;My silence to'any, who abroad hath beene;15My mony to a Capuchin.Thou Love taught'st me, by appointing meeTo love there, where no love receiv'd can be,Onely to give to such as have an incapacitie.

10My constancie I to the planets give;

My truth to them, who at the Court doe live;

Mine ingenuity and opennesse,

To Jesuites; to Buffones my pensivenesse;

My silence to'any, who abroad hath beene;

15My mony to a Capuchin.

Thou Love taught'st me, by appointing mee

To love there, where no love receiv'd can be,

Onely to give to such as have an incapacitie.

My faith I give to Roman Catholiques;20All my good works unto the SchismaticksOf Amsterdam; my best civilityAnd Courtship, to an Universitie;My modesty I give to souldiers bare;My patience let gamesters share.25Thou Love taughtst mee, by making meeLove her that holds my love disparity,Onely to give to those that count my gifts indignity.

My faith I give to Roman Catholiques;

20All my good works unto the Schismaticks

Of Amsterdam; my best civility

And Courtship, to an Universitie;

My modesty I give to souldiers bare;

My patience let gamesters share.

25Thou Love taughtst mee, by making mee

Love her that holds my love disparity,

Onely to give to those that count my gifts indignity.

I give my reputation to thoseWhich were my friends; Mine industrie to foes;30To Schoolemen I bequeath my doubtfulnesse;My sicknesse to Physitians, or excesse;To Nature, all that I in Ryme have writ;And to my company my wit.Thou Love, by making mee adore35Her, who begot this love in mee before,Taughtst me to make, as though I gave, when I did but restore.

I give my reputation to those

Which were my friends; Mine industrie to foes;

30To Schoolemen I bequeath my doubtfulnesse;

My sicknesse to Physitians, or excesse;

To Nature, all that I in Ryme have writ;

And to my company my wit.

Thou Love, by making mee adore

35Her, who begot this love in mee before,

Taughtst me to make, as though I gave, when I did but restore.

To him for whom the passing bell next tolls,I give my physick bookes; my writen rowlesOf Morall counsels, I to Bedlam give;40My brazen medals, unto them which liveIn want of bread; To them which passe amongAll forrainers, mine English tongue.Thou, Love, by making mee love oneWho thinkes her friendship a fit portion45For yonger lovers, dost my gifts thus disproportion.

To him for whom the passing bell next tolls,

I give my physick bookes; my writen rowles

Of Morall counsels, I to Bedlam give;

40My brazen medals, unto them which live

In want of bread; To them which passe among

All forrainers, mine English tongue.

Thou, Love, by making mee love one

Who thinkes her friendship a fit portion

45For yonger lovers, dost my gifts thus disproportion.

Therefore I'll give no more; But I'll undoeThe world by dying; because love dies too.Then all your beauties will bee no more worthThen gold in Mines, where none doth draw it forth;50And all your graces no more use shall haveThen a Sun dyall in a grave.Thou Love taughtst mee, by making meeLove her, who doth neglect both mee and thee,To'invent, and practise this one way, to'annihilate all three.

Therefore I'll give no more; But I'll undoe

The world by dying; because love dies too.

Then all your beauties will bee no more worth

Then gold in Mines, where none doth draw it forth;

50And all your graces no more use shall have

Then a Sun dyall in a grave.

Thou Love taughtst mee, by making mee

Love her, who doth neglect both mee and thee,

To'invent, and practise this one way, to'annihilate all three.

The Will.1633-69:do. orA Will.A25,B,C,Cy,D,H40,H49,Lec,M,O'F,P:Loves Will.L74:Loves Legacies.A18,N,TCC(torn out of TCD),S:Testamentum.S96:His Last Will and Testament.JC2 Here I1633-54:I here1669,Chambers6 teares.Ed:teares;1633-698 serve her] love her166910 give;Ed:give,1633-6910-27These stanzas printed without a break, 166914 hath] have166918 an incapacitie.] no good Capacity.166919-27omitted,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,L74(added later),Lec,M(added later),N,P,TCC:given in O'F,S,and all editions33 wit.Ed:wit;1633-6934 Love,1650-69:love,1633-3936 did1633 and MSS.:do1635-69,O'F45 gifts1633-35,1669:gift1639-5446 more; But1633:more, but1635-6949-51 forth; ... grave.1669:forth ... grave,1633-39 by interchange:forth ... grave.1650-5454 all three.1633-39, threebeing below the line in 1633 and above in 1635-39:al. three1650-54,the full stop having fallen fromthreetoallbelow it:annihilate thee.1669

The Will.1633-69:do. orA Will.A25,B,C,Cy,D,H40,H49,Lec,M,O'F,P:Loves Will.L74:Loves Legacies.A18,N,TCC(torn out of TCD),S:Testamentum.S96:His Last Will and Testament.JC

2 Here I1633-54:I here1669,Chambers

6 teares.Ed:teares;1633-69

8 serve her] love her1669

10 give;Ed:give,1633-69

10-27These stanzas printed without a break, 1669

14 hath] have1669

18 an incapacitie.] no good Capacity.1669

19-27omitted,A18,A25,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,L74(added later),Lec,M(added later),N,P,TCC:given in O'F,S,and all editions

33 wit.Ed:wit;1633-69

34 Love,1650-69:love,1633-39

36 did1633 and MSS.:do1635-69,O'F

45 gifts1633-35,1669:gift1639-54

46 more; But1633:more, but1635-69

49-51 forth; ... grave.1669:forth ... grave,1633-39 by interchange:forth ... grave.1650-54

54 all three.1633-39, threebeing below the line in 1633 and above in 1635-39:al. three1650-54,the full stop having fallen fromthreetoallbelow it:annihilate thee.1669

Note

WHO ever comes to shroud me, do not harmeNor question muchThat subtile wreath of haire, which crowns my arme;The mystery, the signe you must not touch,5For 'tis my outward Soule,Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,Will leave this to controule,And keepe these limbes, her Provinces, from dissolution.For if the sinewie thread my braine lets fall10Through every part,Can tye those parts, and make mee one of all;These haires which upward grew, and strength and artHave from a better braine,Can better do'it; Except she meant that I15By this should know my pain,As prisoners then are manacled, when they'are condemn'd to die.What ere shee meant by'it, bury it with me,For since I amLoves martyr, it might breed idolatrie,20If into others hands these Reliques came;As'twas humilityTo afford to it all that a Soule can doe,So,'tis some bravery,That since you would save none of mee, I bury some of you.

WHO ever comes to shroud me, do not harmeNor question muchThat subtile wreath of haire, which crowns my arme;The mystery, the signe you must not touch,5For 'tis my outward Soule,Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,Will leave this to controule,And keepe these limbes, her Provinces, from dissolution.

WHO ever comes to shroud me, do not harme

Nor question much

That subtile wreath of haire, which crowns my arme;

The mystery, the signe you must not touch,

5For 'tis my outward Soule,

Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,

Will leave this to controule,

And keepe these limbes, her Provinces, from dissolution.

For if the sinewie thread my braine lets fall10Through every part,Can tye those parts, and make mee one of all;These haires which upward grew, and strength and artHave from a better braine,Can better do'it; Except she meant that I15By this should know my pain,As prisoners then are manacled, when they'are condemn'd to die.

For if the sinewie thread my braine lets fall

10Through every part,

Can tye those parts, and make mee one of all;

These haires which upward grew, and strength and art

Have from a better braine,

Can better do'it; Except she meant that I

15By this should know my pain,

As prisoners then are manacled, when they'are condemn'd to die.

What ere shee meant by'it, bury it with me,For since I amLoves martyr, it might breed idolatrie,20If into others hands these Reliques came;As'twas humilityTo afford to it all that a Soule can doe,So,'tis some bravery,That since you would save none of mee, I bury some of you.

What ere shee meant by'it, bury it with me,

For since I am

Loves martyr, it might breed idolatrie,

20If into others hands these Reliques came;

As'twas humility

To afford to it all that a Soule can doe,

So,'tis some bravery,

That since you would save none of mee, I bury some of you.

The Funerall.1633-69,A18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCC,TCD3 which ... arme;] about mine arm;16696 then toA18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC:unto1633-6912 TheseA18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,N,S(The),S96,TC:Those1633-69,Lec,O'Fgrew,1633-39:grow,1650-6916 condemn'd] condem'nd163317 with me,1635-69 and MSS.:by me,163324 saveA18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,N,P,TC:have1633-69,Lec,O'F,S96:om. S

The Funerall.1633-69,A18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCC,TCD

3 which ... arme;] about mine arm;1669

6 then toA18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC:unto1633-69

12 TheseA18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,N,S(The),S96,TC:Those1633-69,Lec,O'Fgrew,1633-39:grow,1650-69

16 condemn'd] condem'nd1633

17 with me,1635-69 and MSS.:by me,1633

24 saveA18,B,Cy,D,H49,L74,N,P,TC:have1633-69,Lec,O'F,S96:om. S

Note

LITTLE think'st thou, poore flower,Whom I have watch'd sixe or seaven dayes,And seene thy birth, and seene what every houreGave to thy growth, thee to this height to raise,5And now dost laugh and triumph on this bough,Little think'st thouThat it will freeze anon, and that I shallTo morrow finde thee falne, or not at all.Little think'st thou poore heart10That labour'st yet to nestle thee,And think'st by hovering here to get a partIn a forbidden or forbidding tree,And hop'st her stiffenesse by long siege to bow:Little think'st thou,15That thou to morrow, ere that Sunne doth wake,Must with this Sunne, and mee a journey take.But thou which lov'st to beeSubtile to plague thy selfe, wilt say,Alas, if you must goe, what's that to mee?20Here lyes my businesse, and here I will stay:You goe to friends, whose love and meanes presentVarious contentTo your eyes, eares, and tongue, and every part.If then your body goe, what need you a heart?25Well then, stay here; but know,When thou hast stayd and done thy most;A naked thinking heart, that makes no show,Is to a woman, but a kinde of Ghost;How shall shee know my heart; or having none,30Know thee for one?Practise may make her know some other part,But take my word, shee doth not know a Heart.Meet mee at London, then,Twenty dayes hence, and thou shalt see35Mee fresher, and more fat, by being with men,Then if I had staid still with her and thee.For Gods sake, if you can, be you so too:I would give youThere, to another friend, whom wee shall finde40As glad to have my body, as my minde.

LITTLE think'st thou, poore flower,Whom I have watch'd sixe or seaven dayes,And seene thy birth, and seene what every houreGave to thy growth, thee to this height to raise,5And now dost laugh and triumph on this bough,Little think'st thouThat it will freeze anon, and that I shallTo morrow finde thee falne, or not at all.

LITTLE think'st thou, poore flower,

Whom I have watch'd sixe or seaven dayes,

And seene thy birth, and seene what every houre

Gave to thy growth, thee to this height to raise,

5And now dost laugh and triumph on this bough,

Little think'st thou

That it will freeze anon, and that I shall

To morrow finde thee falne, or not at all.

Little think'st thou poore heart10That labour'st yet to nestle thee,And think'st by hovering here to get a partIn a forbidden or forbidding tree,And hop'st her stiffenesse by long siege to bow:Little think'st thou,15That thou to morrow, ere that Sunne doth wake,Must with this Sunne, and mee a journey take.

Little think'st thou poore heart

10That labour'st yet to nestle thee,

And think'st by hovering here to get a part

In a forbidden or forbidding tree,

And hop'st her stiffenesse by long siege to bow:

Little think'st thou,

15That thou to morrow, ere that Sunne doth wake,

Must with this Sunne, and mee a journey take.

But thou which lov'st to beeSubtile to plague thy selfe, wilt say,Alas, if you must goe, what's that to mee?20Here lyes my businesse, and here I will stay:You goe to friends, whose love and meanes presentVarious contentTo your eyes, eares, and tongue, and every part.If then your body goe, what need you a heart?

But thou which lov'st to bee

Subtile to plague thy selfe, wilt say,

Alas, if you must goe, what's that to mee?

20Here lyes my businesse, and here I will stay:

You goe to friends, whose love and meanes present

Various content

To your eyes, eares, and tongue, and every part.

If then your body goe, what need you a heart?

25Well then, stay here; but know,When thou hast stayd and done thy most;A naked thinking heart, that makes no show,Is to a woman, but a kinde of Ghost;How shall shee know my heart; or having none,30Know thee for one?Practise may make her know some other part,But take my word, shee doth not know a Heart.

25Well then, stay here; but know,

When thou hast stayd and done thy most;

A naked thinking heart, that makes no show,

Is to a woman, but a kinde of Ghost;

How shall shee know my heart; or having none,

30Know thee for one?

Practise may make her know some other part,

But take my word, shee doth not know a Heart.

Meet mee at London, then,Twenty dayes hence, and thou shalt see35Mee fresher, and more fat, by being with men,Then if I had staid still with her and thee.For Gods sake, if you can, be you so too:I would give youThere, to another friend, whom wee shall finde40As glad to have my body, as my minde.

Meet mee at London, then,

Twenty dayes hence, and thou shalt see

35Mee fresher, and more fat, by being with men,

Then if I had staid still with her and thee.

For Gods sake, if you can, be you so too:

I would give you

There, to another friend, whom wee shall finde

40As glad to have my body, as my minde.

The Blossome.1633-69,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TCC,TCD:no title,A259-13 poore heart ... bow:]in brackets 1650-6910 labour'stA18,N,TC:labourest1635-69:labours163315 that Sunne1633:the Sunne1635-6918 wilt] will166923 tongueA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,S96,TC:om. S:tast1633-6924 need you a heart?A25,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TC:need you have a heart?JC:need your heart?1633-6938 I wouldA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,N,O'F,S,S96,TC:I will1633-69,Lec

The Blossome.1633-69,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TCC,TCD:no title,A25

9-13 poore heart ... bow:]in brackets 1650-69

10 labour'stA18,N,TC:labourest1635-69:labours1633

15 that Sunne1633:the Sunne1635-69

18 wilt] will1669

23 tongueA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,S96,TC:om. S:tast1633-69

24 need you a heart?A25,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TC:need you have a heart?JC:need your heart?1633-69

38 I wouldA18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,N,O'F,S,S96,TC:I will1633-69,Lec

Note

VPON this Primrose hill,Where, if Heav'n would distillA shoure of raine, each severall drop might goeTo his owne primrose, and grow Manna so;5And where their forme, and their infinitieMake a terrestriall Galaxie,As the small starres doe in the skie:I walke to finde a true Love; and I seeThat'tis not a mere woman, that is shee,10But must, or more, or lesse then woman bee.Yet know I not, which flowerI wish; a sixe, or foure;For should my true-Love lesse then woman bee,She were scarce any thing; and then, should she15Be more then woman, shee would get aboveAll thought of sexe, and thinke to moveMy heart to study her, and not to love;Both these were monsters; Since there must resideFalshood in woman, I could more abide,20She were by art, then Nature falsify'd.Live Primrose then, and thriveWith thy true number five;And women, whom this flower doth represent,With this mysterious number be content;25Ten is the farthest number; if halfe tenBelonge unto each woman, thenEach woman may take halfe us men;Or if this will not serve their turne, Since allNumbers are odde, or even, and they fall30First into this, five, women may take us all.

VPON this Primrose hill,Where, if Heav'n would distillA shoure of raine, each severall drop might goeTo his owne primrose, and grow Manna so;5And where their forme, and their infinitieMake a terrestriall Galaxie,As the small starres doe in the skie:I walke to finde a true Love; and I seeThat'tis not a mere woman, that is shee,10But must, or more, or lesse then woman bee.

VPON this Primrose hill,

Where, if Heav'n would distill

A shoure of raine, each severall drop might goe

To his owne primrose, and grow Manna so;

5And where their forme, and their infinitie

Make a terrestriall Galaxie,

As the small starres doe in the skie:

I walke to finde a true Love; and I see

That'tis not a mere woman, that is shee,

10But must, or more, or lesse then woman bee.

Yet know I not, which flowerI wish; a sixe, or foure;For should my true-Love lesse then woman bee,She were scarce any thing; and then, should she15Be more then woman, shee would get aboveAll thought of sexe, and thinke to moveMy heart to study her, and not to love;Both these were monsters; Since there must resideFalshood in woman, I could more abide,20She were by art, then Nature falsify'd.

Yet know I not, which flower

I wish; a sixe, or foure;

For should my true-Love lesse then woman bee,

She were scarce any thing; and then, should she

15Be more then woman, shee would get above

All thought of sexe, and thinke to move

My heart to study her, and not to love;

Both these were monsters; Since there must reside

Falshood in woman, I could more abide,

20She were by art, then Nature falsify'd.

Live Primrose then, and thriveWith thy true number five;And women, whom this flower doth represent,With this mysterious number be content;25Ten is the farthest number; if halfe tenBelonge unto each woman, thenEach woman may take halfe us men;Or if this will not serve their turne, Since allNumbers are odde, or even, and they fall30First into this, five, women may take us all.

Live Primrose then, and thrive

With thy true number five;

And women, whom this flower doth represent,

With this mysterious number be content;

25Ten is the farthest number; if halfe ten

Belonge unto each woman, then

Each woman may take halfe us men;

Or if this will not serve their turne, Since all

Numbers are odde, or even, and they fall

30First into this, five, women may take us all.

The Primrose.1633,A18,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TCC,TCD:The Primrose, being at&c.1635-6916 sexe,1633:sexe;1635-6917 and not] andom. 1635-39, A18, N, S, TC23 women] womanChambers25 number;Ed:number,1633-6926 Belongeall the MSS.:Belongs1633-69.See note27 men;Ed:men,1633-39:men:1650-6928 their1633-39:the1650-6929 and1633:since1635-6930 this,Ed:this1633,A18,B,D,H49,Lec,N,S,S96,TC:om. 1635-69, O'F, Chambers

The Primrose.1633,A18,B,D,H49,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TCC,TCD:The Primrose, being at&c.1635-69

16 sexe,1633:sexe;1635-69

17 and not] andom. 1635-39, A18, N, S, TC

23 women] womanChambers

25 number;Ed:number,1633-69

26 Belongeall the MSS.:Belongs1633-69.See note

27 men;Ed:men,1633-39:men:1650-69

28 their1633-39:the1650-69

29 and1633:since1635-69

30 this,Ed:this1633,A18,B,D,H49,Lec,N,S,S96,TC:om. 1635-69, O'F, Chambers

Note

WHEN my grave is broke up againeSome second ghest to entertaine,(For graves have learn'd that woman-headTo be to more then one a Bed)5And he that digs it, spiesA bracelet of bright haire about the bone,Will he not let'us alone,And thinke that there a loving couple lies,Who thought that this device might be some way10To make their soules, at the last busie day,Meet at this grave, and make a little stay?If this fall in a time, or land,Where mis-devotion doth command,Then, he that digges us up, will bring15Us, to the Bishop, and the King,To make us Reliques; thenThou shalt be a Mary Magdalen, and IA something else thereby;All women shall adore us, and some men;20And since at such time, miracles are sought,I would have that age by this paper taughtWhat miracles wee harmelesse lovers wrought.First, we lov'd well and faithfully,Yet knew not what wee lov'd, nor why,25Difference of sex no more wee knew,Then our Guardian Angells doe;Comming and going, weePerchance might kisse, but not between those meales;Our hands ne'r toucht the seales,30Which nature, injur'd by late law, sets free:These miracles wee did; but now alas,All measure, and all language, I would passe,Should I tell what a miracle shee was.

WHEN my grave is broke up againeSome second ghest to entertaine,(For graves have learn'd that woman-headTo be to more then one a Bed)5And he that digs it, spiesA bracelet of bright haire about the bone,Will he not let'us alone,And thinke that there a loving couple lies,Who thought that this device might be some way10To make their soules, at the last busie day,Meet at this grave, and make a little stay?

WHEN my grave is broke up againe

Some second ghest to entertaine,

(For graves have learn'd that woman-head

To be to more then one a Bed)

5And he that digs it, spies

A bracelet of bright haire about the bone,

Will he not let'us alone,

And thinke that there a loving couple lies,

Who thought that this device might be some way

10To make their soules, at the last busie day,

Meet at this grave, and make a little stay?

If this fall in a time, or land,Where mis-devotion doth command,Then, he that digges us up, will bring15Us, to the Bishop, and the King,To make us Reliques; thenThou shalt be a Mary Magdalen, and IA something else thereby;All women shall adore us, and some men;20And since at such time, miracles are sought,I would have that age by this paper taughtWhat miracles wee harmelesse lovers wrought.

If this fall in a time, or land,

Where mis-devotion doth command,

Then, he that digges us up, will bring

15Us, to the Bishop, and the King,

To make us Reliques; then

Thou shalt be a Mary Magdalen, and I

A something else thereby;

All women shall adore us, and some men;

20And since at such time, miracles are sought,

I would have that age by this paper taught

What miracles wee harmelesse lovers wrought.

First, we lov'd well and faithfully,Yet knew not what wee lov'd, nor why,25Difference of sex no more wee knew,Then our Guardian Angells doe;Comming and going, weePerchance might kisse, but not between those meales;Our hands ne'r toucht the seales,30Which nature, injur'd by late law, sets free:These miracles wee did; but now alas,All measure, and all language, I would passe,Should I tell what a miracle shee was.

First, we lov'd well and faithfully,

Yet knew not what wee lov'd, nor why,

25Difference of sex no more wee knew,

Then our Guardian Angells doe;

Comming and going, wee

Perchance might kisse, but not between those meales;

Our hands ne'r toucht the seales,

30Which nature, injur'd by late law, sets free:

These miracles wee did; but now alas,

All measure, and all language, I would passe,

Should I tell what a miracle shee was.

The Relique.1633-69,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TCC,TCD:no title, A2513 mis-devotion1633-54,A18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TC:mass-devotion1669,Chambers15 and1633-54 and MSS.:or1669,Chambers17 Thou shalt be] You shal beA25,D,H49,JC,Lec,S.See note20 time] timesJC,O'F21 have that age] that age wereA18,N,TC25-26 Difference ... doe,1633,A18,N,TC:Difference of Sex we never knew,No more then Guardian Angells do,1635-69:Difference of Sex we never knew,More then our Guardian Angells do.A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,S,S96(No more then our&c.B,S96)26 doe;Ed:doe,1633-6927 weeEd:wee,1633-6928 not] yet1669meales;Ed:meales.1633:meales1635-69, following some copies of 163330 sets] set1669free:1650-69:free,1633-39

The Relique.1633-69,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TCC,TCD:no title, A25

13 mis-devotion1633-54,A18,A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,S,S96,TC:mass-devotion1669,Chambers

15 and1633-54 and MSS.:or1669,Chambers

17 Thou shalt be] You shal beA25,D,H49,JC,Lec,S.See note

20 time] timesJC,O'F

21 have that age] that age wereA18,N,TC

25-26 Difference ... doe,1633,A18,N,TC:

Difference of Sex we never knew,No more then Guardian Angells do,1635-69:Difference of Sex we never knew,More then our Guardian Angells do.A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,S,S96(No more then our&c.B,S96)

Difference of Sex we never knew,No more then Guardian Angells do,1635-69:Difference of Sex we never knew,More then our Guardian Angells do.A25,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,S,S96(No more then our&c.B,S96)

Difference of Sex we never knew,

No more then Guardian Angells do,1635-69:

Difference of Sex we never knew,

More then our Guardian Angells do.A25,B,D,H49,JC,

Lec,S,S96(No more then our&c.B,S96)

26 doe;Ed:doe,1633-69

27 weeEd:wee,1633-69

28 not] yet1669

meales;Ed:meales.1633:meales1635-69, following some copies of 1633

30 sets] set1669free:1650-69:free,1633-39

WHEN I am dead, and Doctors know not why,And my friends curiositieWill have me cut up to survay each part,When they shall finde your Picture in my heart,5You thinke a sodaine dampe of loveWill through all their senses move,And worke on them as mee, and so preferreYour murder, to the name of Massacre.Poore victories! But if you dare be brave,10And pleasure in your conquest have,First kill th'enormous Gyant, yourDisdaine,And let th'enchantresseHonor, next be slaine,And like a Goth and Vandall rize,Deface Records, and Histories15Of your owne arts and triumphs over men,And without such advantage kill me then.For I could muster up as well as youMy Gyants, and my Witches too,Which are vastConstancy, andSecretnesse,20But these I neyther looke for, nor professe;Kill mee as Woman, let mee dieAs a meere man; doe you but tryYour passive valor, and you shall finde than,In that you'have odds enough of any man.

WHEN I am dead, and Doctors know not why,And my friends curiositieWill have me cut up to survay each part,When they shall finde your Picture in my heart,5You thinke a sodaine dampe of loveWill through all their senses move,And worke on them as mee, and so preferreYour murder, to the name of Massacre.

WHEN I am dead, and Doctors know not why,

And my friends curiositie

Will have me cut up to survay each part,

When they shall finde your Picture in my heart,

5You thinke a sodaine dampe of love

Will through all their senses move,

And worke on them as mee, and so preferre

Your murder, to the name of Massacre.

Poore victories! But if you dare be brave,10And pleasure in your conquest have,First kill th'enormous Gyant, yourDisdaine,And let th'enchantresseHonor, next be slaine,And like a Goth and Vandall rize,Deface Records, and Histories15Of your owne arts and triumphs over men,And without such advantage kill me then.

Poore victories! But if you dare be brave,

10And pleasure in your conquest have,

First kill th'enormous Gyant, yourDisdaine,

And let th'enchantresseHonor, next be slaine,

And like a Goth and Vandall rize,

Deface Records, and Histories

15Of your owne arts and triumphs over men,

And without such advantage kill me then.

For I could muster up as well as youMy Gyants, and my Witches too,Which are vastConstancy, andSecretnesse,20But these I neyther looke for, nor professe;Kill mee as Woman, let mee dieAs a meere man; doe you but tryYour passive valor, and you shall finde than,In that you'have odds enough of any man.

For I could muster up as well as you

My Gyants, and my Witches too,

Which are vastConstancy, andSecretnesse,

20But these I neyther looke for, nor professe;

Kill mee as Woman, let mee die

As a meere man; doe you but try

Your passive valor, and you shall finde than,

In that you'have odds enough of any man.

The Dampe.1633-69,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCC,TCD4 When] And1669my1633-39:mine1650-699 victories!1650-69:victories;1633-3910 your] the1669conquest] conquestsJC13 and Vandall1633-54,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC:or Vandall1669,Chambers15 arts] acts1669,JC20 professe;Ed:professe,1633-6924 In that1633,A18,N,TC:Naked1635-69,B,D,H49,Lec,JC,O'F,P,S

The Dampe.1633-69,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TCC,TCD

4 When] And1669

my1633-39:mine1650-69

9 victories!1650-69:victories;1633-39

10 your] the1669

conquest] conquestsJC

13 and Vandall1633-54,A18,B,D,H49,JC,Lec,N,O'F,P,S,S96,TC:or Vandall1669,Chambers

15 arts] acts1669,JC

20 professe;Ed:professe,1633-69

24 In that1633,A18,N,TC:Naked1635-69,B,D,H49,Lec,JC,O'F,P,S

Note

SHEE'IS dead; And all which dieTo their first Elements resolve;And wee were mutuall Elements to us,And made of one another.5My body then doth hers involve,And those things whereof I consist, herebyIn me abundant grow, and burdenous,And nourish not, but smother.My fire of Passion, sighes of ayre,10Water of teares, and earthly sad despaire,Which my materialls bee,But neere worne out by loves securitie,Shee, to my losse, doth by her death repaire,And I might live long wretched so15But that my fire doth with my fuell grow.Now as those Active KingsWhose foraine conquest treasure brings,Receive more, and spend more, and soonest breake:This (which I am amaz'd that I can speake)20This death, hath with my storeMy use encreas'd.And so my soule more earnestly releas'd,Will outstrip hers; As bullets flowen beforeA latter bullet may o'rtake, the pouder being more.

SHEE'IS dead; And all which dieTo their first Elements resolve;And wee were mutuall Elements to us,And made of one another.5My body then doth hers involve,And those things whereof I consist, herebyIn me abundant grow, and burdenous,And nourish not, but smother.My fire of Passion, sighes of ayre,10Water of teares, and earthly sad despaire,Which my materialls bee,But neere worne out by loves securitie,Shee, to my losse, doth by her death repaire,And I might live long wretched so15But that my fire doth with my fuell grow.Now as those Active KingsWhose foraine conquest treasure brings,Receive more, and spend more, and soonest breake:This (which I am amaz'd that I can speake)20This death, hath with my storeMy use encreas'd.And so my soule more earnestly releas'd,Will outstrip hers; As bullets flowen beforeA latter bullet may o'rtake, the pouder being more.

SHEE'IS dead; And all which die

To their first Elements resolve;

And wee were mutuall Elements to us,

And made of one another.

5My body then doth hers involve,

And those things whereof I consist, hereby

In me abundant grow, and burdenous,

And nourish not, but smother.

My fire of Passion, sighes of ayre,

10Water of teares, and earthly sad despaire,

Which my materialls bee,

But neere worne out by loves securitie,

Shee, to my losse, doth by her death repaire,

And I might live long wretched so

15But that my fire doth with my fuell grow.

Now as those Active Kings

Whose foraine conquest treasure brings,

Receive more, and spend more, and soonest breake:

This (which I am amaz'd that I can speake)

20This death, hath with my store

My use encreas'd.

And so my soule more earnestly releas'd,

Will outstrip hers; As bullets flowen before

A latter bullet may o'rtake, the pouder being more.

The Dissolution.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCD10 earthly1633,A18,N,TC:earthy1635-6912 neere1635-69(But ... securitiebracketed 1669): ne'r163324 latter] later1669

The Dissolution.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCD

10 earthly1633,A18,N,TC:earthy1635-69

12 neere1635-69(But ... securitiebracketed 1669): ne'r1633

24 latter] later1669

THOU art not so black, as my heart,Nor halfe so brittle, as her heart, thou art;What would'st thou say? shall both our properties by thee bee spoke,Nothing more endlesse, nothing sooner broke?5Marriage rings are not of this stuffe;Oh, why should ought lesse precious, or lesse toughFigure our loves? Except in thy name thou have bid it say,I'am cheap, and nought but fashion, fling me'away.Yet stay with mee since thou art come,10Circle this fingers top, which did'st her thombe.Be justly proud, and gladly safe, that thou dost dwell with me,She that, Oh, broke her faith, would soon breake thee.

THOU art not so black, as my heart,Nor halfe so brittle, as her heart, thou art;What would'st thou say? shall both our properties by thee bee spoke,Nothing more endlesse, nothing sooner broke?

THOU art not so black, as my heart,

Nor halfe so brittle, as her heart, thou art;

What would'st thou say? shall both our properties by thee bee spoke,

Nothing more endlesse, nothing sooner broke?

5Marriage rings are not of this stuffe;Oh, why should ought lesse precious, or lesse toughFigure our loves? Except in thy name thou have bid it say,I'am cheap, and nought but fashion, fling me'away.

5Marriage rings are not of this stuffe;

Oh, why should ought lesse precious, or lesse tough

Figure our loves? Except in thy name thou have bid it say,

I'am cheap, and nought but fashion, fling me'away.

Yet stay with mee since thou art come,10Circle this fingers top, which did'st her thombe.Be justly proud, and gladly safe, that thou dost dwell with me,She that, Oh, broke her faith, would soon breake thee.

Yet stay with mee since thou art come,

10Circle this fingers top, which did'st her thombe.

Be justly proud, and gladly safe, that thou dost dwell with me,

She that, Oh, broke her faith, would soon breake thee.

A Ieat Ring sent.1633-69,A18,N,O'F,TCC,TCD:To a Jeat Ring sent to me.W(among theEpigrams)7 loves] loveO'Fsay,Ed:say1633-69

A Ieat Ring sent.1633-69,A18,N,O'F,TCC,TCD:To a Jeat Ring sent to me.W(among theEpigrams)

7 loves] loveO'Fsay,Ed:say1633-69

Note

INEVER stoop'd so low, as theyWhich on an eye, cheeke, lip, can prey,Seldome to them, which soare no higherThen vertue or the minde to'admire,5For sense, and understanding mayKnow, what gives fuell to their fire:My love, though silly, is more brave,For may I misse, when ere I crave,If I know yet, what I would have.10If that be simply perfectestWhich can by no way be exprestButNegatives, my love is so.To All, which all love, I say no.If any who deciphers best,15What we know not, our selves, can know,Let him teach mee that nothing; ThisAs yet my ease, and comfort is,Though I speed not, I cannot misse.

INEVER stoop'd so low, as theyWhich on an eye, cheeke, lip, can prey,Seldome to them, which soare no higherThen vertue or the minde to'admire,5For sense, and understanding mayKnow, what gives fuell to their fire:My love, though silly, is more brave,For may I misse, when ere I crave,If I know yet, what I would have.

INEVER stoop'd so low, as they

Which on an eye, cheeke, lip, can prey,

Seldome to them, which soare no higher

Then vertue or the minde to'admire,

5For sense, and understanding may

Know, what gives fuell to their fire:

My love, though silly, is more brave,

For may I misse, when ere I crave,

If I know yet, what I would have.

10If that be simply perfectestWhich can by no way be exprestButNegatives, my love is so.To All, which all love, I say no.If any who deciphers best,15What we know not, our selves, can know,Let him teach mee that nothing; ThisAs yet my ease, and comfort is,Though I speed not, I cannot misse.

10If that be simply perfectest

Which can by no way be exprest

ButNegatives, my love is so.

To All, which all love, I say no.

If any who deciphers best,

15What we know not, our selves, can know,

Let him teach mee that nothing; This

As yet my ease, and comfort is,

Though I speed not, I cannot misse.

Negative love.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCD:Negative Love: or the Nothing.O'F:The Nothing.A25,C4 to'admire,1633-39:to'admire;1650-695 For] BothA25,C11 way] means1669,O'F16 nothing;1633:nothing.1635-69

Negative love.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCD:Negative Love: or the Nothing.O'F:The Nothing.A25,C

4 to'admire,1633-39:to'admire;1650-69

5 For] BothA25,C

11 way] means1669,O'F

16 nothing;1633:nothing.1635-69

Note

TAKE heed of loving mee,At least remember, I forbade it thee;Not that I shall repaire my'unthrifty wastOf Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares,5By being to thee then what to me thou wast;But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares,Then, least thy love, by my death, frustrate bee,If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee.Take heed of hating mee,10Or too much triumph in the Victorie.Not that I shall be mine owne officer,And hate with hate againe retaliate;But thou wilt lose the stile of conquerour,If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.15Then, least my being nothing lessen thee,If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee.Yet, love and hate mee too,So, these extreames shall neithers office doe;Love mee, that I may die the gentler way;20Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee;Or let these two, themselves, not me decay;So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee;Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe,To let mee live, O love and hate mee too.

TAKE heed of loving mee,At least remember, I forbade it thee;Not that I shall repaire my'unthrifty wastOf Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares,5By being to thee then what to me thou wast;But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares,Then, least thy love, by my death, frustrate bee,If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee.

TAKE heed of loving mee,

At least remember, I forbade it thee;

Not that I shall repaire my'unthrifty wast

Of Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares,

5By being to thee then what to me thou wast;

But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares,

Then, least thy love, by my death, frustrate bee,

If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee.

Take heed of hating mee,10Or too much triumph in the Victorie.Not that I shall be mine owne officer,And hate with hate againe retaliate;But thou wilt lose the stile of conquerour,If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.15Then, least my being nothing lessen thee,If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee.

Take heed of hating mee,

10Or too much triumph in the Victorie.

Not that I shall be mine owne officer,

And hate with hate againe retaliate;

But thou wilt lose the stile of conquerour,

If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.

15Then, least my being nothing lessen thee,

If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee.

Yet, love and hate mee too,So, these extreames shall neithers office doe;Love mee, that I may die the gentler way;20Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee;Or let these two, themselves, not me decay;So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee;Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe,To let mee live, O love and hate mee too.

Yet, love and hate mee too,

So, these extreames shall neithers office doe;

Love mee, that I may die the gentler way;

20Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee;

Or let these two, themselves, not me decay;

So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee;

Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe,

To let mee live, O love and hate mee too.

The Prohibition.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCD:no title,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,O'F,S96:in B first two verses headedJ. D.,last verseT. R.:in A18,N,S96,TCC,TCD the last stanza is omitted3 repaire my'unthrifty wast] repay in unthrifty a wast,16695 By ... wast;Ed:By ... wast,1635-69,B,Cy,H40,O'F,P,RP31,S96(meefortheeB,P): By being to mee then that which thou wast;1633:om.A18,D,H40,H49,N,TC18 neithersEd:neythersD,H40,H49,JC:neytherO'F,RP31:neyther theirCy:ne'r their1633-69,B20 thy1635-69:my1633(thyin some copies)22 I, live,Ed:I live1633-69Stage,1635-69,B,Cy,H40,O'F:stay,1633,JC:staye,D,H49not] andH4023-4Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoeTo let mee live, Oh(ofin some copies)love and hate mee too.1633,BThen lest thou thy love hate, and mee thou undoeO let me live, yet love and hate me too.1635-54,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,O'F(MSS. omitting firstthouand some withOhforyet)Lest thou thy love, and hate, and me thou undo,O let me live, yet love and hate me too.1669.

The Prohibition.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCD:no title,B,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,O'F,S96:in B first two verses headedJ. D.,last verseT. R.:in A18,N,S96,TCC,TCD the last stanza is omitted

3 repaire my'unthrifty wast] repay in unthrifty a wast,1669

5 By ... wast;Ed:By ... wast,1635-69,B,Cy,H40,O'F,P,RP31,S96(meefortheeB,P): By being to mee then that which thou wast;1633:om.A18,D,H40,H49,N,TC

18 neithersEd:neythersD,H40,H49,JC:neytherO'F,RP31:neyther theirCy:ne'r their1633-69,B

20 thy1635-69:my1633(thyin some copies)

22 I, live,Ed:I live1633-69

Stage,1635-69,B,Cy,H40,O'F:stay,1633,JC:staye,D,H49

not] andH40

23-4

Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoeTo let mee live, Oh(ofin some copies)love and hate mee too.

Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoeTo let mee live, Oh(ofin some copies)love and hate mee too.

Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe

To let mee live, Oh(ofin some copies)love and hate mee too.

1633,B

Then lest thou thy love hate, and mee thou undoeO let me live, yet love and hate me too.

Then lest thou thy love hate, and mee thou undoeO let me live, yet love and hate me too.

Then lest thou thy love hate, and mee thou undoe

O let me live, yet love and hate me too.

1635-54,Cy,D,H40,H49,JC,O'F(MSS. omitting firstthouand some withOhforyet)

Lest thou thy love, and hate, and me thou undo,O let me live, yet love and hate me too.

Lest thou thy love, and hate, and me thou undo,O let me live, yet love and hate me too.

Lest thou thy love, and hate, and me thou undo,

O let me live, yet love and hate me too.

1669.

Note

SO, so, breake off this last lamenting kisse,Which sucks two soules, and vapors Both away,Turne thou ghost that way, and let mee turne this,And let our selves benight our happiest day,5We ask'd none leave to love; nor will we oweAny, so cheape a death, as saying, Goe;Goe; and if that word have not quite kil'd thee,Ease mee with death, by bidding mee goe too.Oh, if it have, let my word worke on mee,10And a just office on a murderer doe.Except it be too late, to kill me so,Being double dead, going, and bidding, goe.

SO, so, breake off this last lamenting kisse,Which sucks two soules, and vapors Both away,Turne thou ghost that way, and let mee turne this,And let our selves benight our happiest day,5We ask'd none leave to love; nor will we oweAny, so cheape a death, as saying, Goe;

SO, so, breake off this last lamenting kisse,

Which sucks two soules, and vapors Both away,

Turne thou ghost that way, and let mee turne this,

And let our selves benight our happiest day,

5We ask'd none leave to love; nor will we owe

Any, so cheape a death, as saying, Goe;

Goe; and if that word have not quite kil'd thee,Ease mee with death, by bidding mee goe too.Oh, if it have, let my word worke on mee,10And a just office on a murderer doe.Except it be too late, to kill me so,Being double dead, going, and bidding, goe.

Goe; and if that word have not quite kil'd thee,

Ease mee with death, by bidding mee goe too.

Oh, if it have, let my word worke on mee,

10And a just office on a murderer doe.

Except it be too late, to kill me so,

Being double dead, going, and bidding, goe.

The Expiration.1633-69:An Expiration.A18,N,TCC,TCD:Valediction.B:Valedictio.O'F:Valedictio Amoris.S:Valedico.P:no title,A25,C,JC1 So, so,] So, go16695 ask'dA18,A25,B,CJC,N,O'F,S96,TC:aske1633-69,P,S9 Oh,1633,A18,A25,JC,N,TC:Or,1635-69,B,O'F,S,S96

The Expiration.1633-69:An Expiration.A18,N,TCC,TCD:Valediction.B:Valedictio.O'F:Valedictio Amoris.S:Valedico.P:no title,A25,C,JC

1 So, so,] So, go1669

5 ask'dA18,A25,B,CJC,N,O'F,S96,TC:aske1633-69,P,S

9 Oh,1633,A18,A25,JC,N,TC:Or,1635-69,B,O'F,S,S96

FOR the first twenty yeares, since yesterday,I scarce beleev'd, thou could'st be gone away,For forty more, I fed on favours past,And forty'on hopes, that thou would'st, they might last.5Teares drown'd one hundred, and sighes blew out two,A thousand, I did neither thinke, nor doe,Or not divide, all being one thought of you;Or in a thousand more, forgot that too.Yet call not this long life; But thinke that I10Am, by being dead, Immortall; Can ghosts die?

FOR the first twenty yeares, since yesterday,I scarce beleev'd, thou could'st be gone away,For forty more, I fed on favours past,And forty'on hopes, that thou would'st, they might last.5Teares drown'd one hundred, and sighes blew out two,A thousand, I did neither thinke, nor doe,Or not divide, all being one thought of you;Or in a thousand more, forgot that too.Yet call not this long life; But thinke that I10Am, by being dead, Immortall; Can ghosts die?

FOR the first twenty yeares, since yesterday,

I scarce beleev'd, thou could'st be gone away,

For forty more, I fed on favours past,

And forty'on hopes, that thou would'st, they might last.

5Teares drown'd one hundred, and sighes blew out two,

A thousand, I did neither thinke, nor doe,

Or not divide, all being one thought of you;

Or in a thousand more, forgot that too.

Yet call not this long life; But thinke that I

10Am, by being dead, Immortall; Can ghosts die?

The Computation.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCD:no title,B,O'F,S1 For1633-54:From1669the1633,A18,N,TC:my1635-69,B,O'F,S,Chambers3 For] And16696 One thousand I did think nothing nor doe,S,O'F(nothing think) doe,1635-69:doe.16337 divide,1633,1669:deem'd,1635-54,O'F8 a] oneO'F,S:line droppedA18,N,TCforgot] forget1669,A18,N,O'F,S,TC

The Computation.1633-69,A18,N,TCC,TCD:no title,B,O'F,S

1 For1633-54:From1669

the1633,A18,N,TC:my1635-69,B,O'F,S,Chambers

3 For] And1669

6 One thousand I did think nothing nor doe,S,O'F(nothing think) doe,1635-69:doe.1633

7 divide,1633,1669:deem'd,1635-54,O'F

8 a] oneO'F,S:line droppedA18,N,TC

forgot] forget1669,A18,N,O'F,S,TC

Note

NO Lover saith, I love, nor any otherCan judge a perfect Lover;Hee thinkes that else none can, nor will agreeThat any loves but hee:5I cannot say I lov'd, for who can sayHee was kill'd yesterday?Love with excesse of heat, more yong then old,Death kills with too much cold;Wee dye but once, and who lov'd last did die,10Hee that saith twice, doth lye:For though hee seeme to move, and stirre a while,It doth the sense beguile.Such life is like the light which bideth yetWhen the lights life is set,15Or like the heat, which fire in solid matterLeaves behinde, two houres after.Once I lov'd and dy'd; and am now becomeMine Epitaph and Tombe.Here dead men speake their last, and so do I;20Love-slaine, loe, here I lye.

NO Lover saith, I love, nor any otherCan judge a perfect Lover;Hee thinkes that else none can, nor will agreeThat any loves but hee:5I cannot say I lov'd, for who can sayHee was kill'd yesterday?Love with excesse of heat, more yong then old,Death kills with too much cold;Wee dye but once, and who lov'd last did die,10Hee that saith twice, doth lye:For though hee seeme to move, and stirre a while,It doth the sense beguile.Such life is like the light which bideth yetWhen the lights life is set,15Or like the heat, which fire in solid matterLeaves behinde, two houres after.Once I lov'd and dy'd; and am now becomeMine Epitaph and Tombe.Here dead men speake their last, and so do I;20Love-slaine, loe, here I lye.

NO Lover saith, I love, nor any other

Can judge a perfect Lover;

Hee thinkes that else none can, nor will agree

That any loves but hee:

5I cannot say I lov'd, for who can say

Hee was kill'd yesterday?

Love with excesse of heat, more yong then old,

Death kills with too much cold;

Wee dye but once, and who lov'd last did die,

10Hee that saith twice, doth lye:

For though hee seeme to move, and stirre a while,

It doth the sense beguile.

Such life is like the light which bideth yet

When the lights life is set,

15Or like the heat, which fire in solid matter

Leaves behinde, two houres after.

Once I lov'd and dy'd; and am now become

Mine Epitaph and Tombe.

Here dead men speake their last, and so do I;

20Love-slaine, loe, here I lye.

The Paradox.1635-69:no title,1633,A18,H40,L74,N,O'F,S,S96TCC,TCD3 can, nor will agreeA18,H40,N,O'F,S,TC: can or will agree,1633-696 yesterday?] yesterday.1633-3914 lights lifeH40,L74,RP31,S:lifes light1633-69,A18,N,O'F,S96,TC15 whichEd:which,1633-6917 lov'dA18,H40,L74,N,O'F,S,TC:love1633-69dy'd] dyed1633-6920 lye.H40,RP31,S,S96:dye.1633-69,A18,L74,N,O'F,TC

The Paradox.1635-69:no title,1633,A18,H40,L74,N,O'F,S,S96TCC,TCD

3 can, nor will agreeA18,H40,N,O'F,S,TC: can or will agree,1633-69

6 yesterday?] yesterday.1633-39

14 lights lifeH40,L74,RP31,S:lifes light1633-69,A18,N,O'F,S96,TC

15 whichEd:which,1633-69

17 lov'dA18,H40,L74,N,O'F,S,TC:love1633-69

dy'd] dyed1633-69

20 lye.H40,RP31,S,S96:dye.1633-69,A18,L74,N,O'F,TC

Note

WHILST yet to prove,I thought there was some Deitie in loveSo did I reverence, and gaveWorship; as Atheists at their dying houre5Call, what they cannot name, an unknowne power,As ignorantly did I crave:Thus whenThings not yet knowne are coveted by men,Our desires give them fashion, and so10As they waxe lesser, fall, as they sise, grow.But, from late faireHis hignesse sitting in a golden Chaire,Is not lesse cared for after three dayesBy children, then the thing which lovers so15Blindly admire, and with such worship wooe;Being had, enjoying it decayes:And thence,What before pleas'd them all, takes but one sense,And that so lamely, as it leaves behinde20A kinde of sorrowing dulnesse to the minde.Ah cannot wee,As well as Cocks and Lyons jocund be,After such pleasures? Unlesse wiseNature decreed (since each such Act, they say,25Diminisheth the length of life a day)This, as shee would man should despiseThe sport;Because that other curse of being short,And onely for a minute made to be,30(Eagers desire) to raise posterity.Since so, my mindeShall not desire what no man else can finde,I'll no more dote and runneTo pursue things which had indammag'd me.35And when I come where moving beauties be,As men doe when the summers SunneGrowes great,Though I admire their greatnesse, shun their heat;Each place can afford shadowes. If all faile,40'Tis but applying worme-seed to the Taile.

WHILST yet to prove,I thought there was some Deitie in loveSo did I reverence, and gaveWorship; as Atheists at their dying houre5Call, what they cannot name, an unknowne power,As ignorantly did I crave:Thus whenThings not yet knowne are coveted by men,Our desires give them fashion, and so10As they waxe lesser, fall, as they sise, grow.

WHILST yet to prove,

I thought there was some Deitie in love

So did I reverence, and gave

Worship; as Atheists at their dying houre

5Call, what they cannot name, an unknowne power,

As ignorantly did I crave:

Thus when

Things not yet knowne are coveted by men,

Our desires give them fashion, and so

10As they waxe lesser, fall, as they sise, grow.

But, from late faireHis hignesse sitting in a golden Chaire,Is not lesse cared for after three dayesBy children, then the thing which lovers so15Blindly admire, and with such worship wooe;Being had, enjoying it decayes:And thence,What before pleas'd them all, takes but one sense,And that so lamely, as it leaves behinde20A kinde of sorrowing dulnesse to the minde.

But, from late faire

His hignesse sitting in a golden Chaire,

Is not lesse cared for after three dayes

By children, then the thing which lovers so

15Blindly admire, and with such worship wooe;

Being had, enjoying it decayes:

And thence,

What before pleas'd them all, takes but one sense,

And that so lamely, as it leaves behinde

20A kinde of sorrowing dulnesse to the minde.

Ah cannot wee,As well as Cocks and Lyons jocund be,After such pleasures? Unlesse wiseNature decreed (since each such Act, they say,25Diminisheth the length of life a day)This, as shee would man should despiseThe sport;Because that other curse of being short,And onely for a minute made to be,30(Eagers desire) to raise posterity.

Ah cannot wee,

As well as Cocks and Lyons jocund be,

After such pleasures? Unlesse wise

Nature decreed (since each such Act, they say,

25Diminisheth the length of life a day)

This, as shee would man should despise

The sport;

Because that other curse of being short,

And onely for a minute made to be,

30(Eagers desire) to raise posterity.

Since so, my mindeShall not desire what no man else can finde,I'll no more dote and runneTo pursue things which had indammag'd me.35And when I come where moving beauties be,As men doe when the summers SunneGrowes great,Though I admire their greatnesse, shun their heat;Each place can afford shadowes. If all faile,40'Tis but applying worme-seed to the Taile.

Since so, my minde

Shall not desire what no man else can finde,

I'll no more dote and runne

To pursue things which had indammag'd me.

35And when I come where moving beauties be,

As men doe when the summers Sunne

Growes great,

Though I admire their greatnesse, shun their heat;

Each place can afford shadowes. If all faile,

40'Tis but applying worme-seed to the Taile.

Farewell to love.1635-69(followingSoules joy:p.429),O'F,S964 Worship;Ed:Worship,1635-6910 sise,1635-69,O'F:riseS9623 pleasures?Ed:pleasures,1635-6926 This,Ed:This;1635-6927 sport;Ed:sport,1635-6929 to be,Ed:to be1635-6930 (Eagers desire)Ed:Eager, desires1635-69.See note36 summers1635-69:summer1650-1669

Farewell to love.1635-69(followingSoules joy:p.429),O'F,S96

4 Worship;Ed:Worship,1635-69

10 sise,1635-69,O'F:riseS96

23 pleasures?Ed:pleasures,1635-69

26 This,Ed:This;1635-69

27 sport;Ed:sport,1635-69

29 to be,Ed:to be1635-69

30 (Eagers desire)Ed:Eager, desires1635-69.See note

36 summers1635-69:summer1650-1669

Note

STAND still, and I will read to theeA Lecture, Love, in loves philosophy.These three houres that we have spent,Walking here, Two shadowes went5Along with us, which we our selves produc'd;But, now the Sunne is just above our head,We doe those shadowes tread;And to brave clearnesse all things are reduc'd.So whilst our infant loves did grow,10Disguises did, and shadowes, flow,From us, and our cares; but, now 'tis not so.That love hath not attain'd the high'st degree,Which is still diligent lest others see.Except our loves at this noone stay,15We shall new shadowes make the other way.As the first were made to blindeOthers; these which come behindeWill worke upon our selves, and blind our eyes.If our loves faint, and westwardly decline;20To me thou, falsly, thine,And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.The morning shadowes weare away,But these grow longer all the day,But oh, loves day is short, if love decay.25Love is a growing, or full constant light;And his first minute, after noone, is night.

STAND still, and I will read to theeA Lecture, Love, in loves philosophy.These three houres that we have spent,Walking here, Two shadowes went5Along with us, which we our selves produc'd;But, now the Sunne is just above our head,We doe those shadowes tread;And to brave clearnesse all things are reduc'd.So whilst our infant loves did grow,10Disguises did, and shadowes, flow,From us, and our cares; but, now 'tis not so.

STAND still, and I will read to thee

A Lecture, Love, in loves philosophy.

These three houres that we have spent,

Walking here, Two shadowes went

5Along with us, which we our selves produc'd;

But, now the Sunne is just above our head,

We doe those shadowes tread;

And to brave clearnesse all things are reduc'd.

So whilst our infant loves did grow,

10Disguises did, and shadowes, flow,

From us, and our cares; but, now 'tis not so.

That love hath not attain'd the high'st degree,Which is still diligent lest others see.

That love hath not attain'd the high'st degree,

Which is still diligent lest others see.

Except our loves at this noone stay,15We shall new shadowes make the other way.As the first were made to blindeOthers; these which come behindeWill worke upon our selves, and blind our eyes.If our loves faint, and westwardly decline;20To me thou, falsly, thine,And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.The morning shadowes weare away,But these grow longer all the day,But oh, loves day is short, if love decay.

Except our loves at this noone stay,

15We shall new shadowes make the other way.

As the first were made to blinde

Others; these which come behinde

Will worke upon our selves, and blind our eyes.

If our loves faint, and westwardly decline;

20To me thou, falsly, thine,

And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.

The morning shadowes weare away,

But these grow longer all the day,

But oh, loves day is short, if love decay.

25Love is a growing, or full constant light;And his first minute, after noone, is night.

25Love is a growing, or full constant light;

And his first minute, after noone, is night.


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