Book ii. Epigram 10.

This house is to be let for life or years;
Her rent is sorrow, and her income tears;
Cupid 't has long stood void; her bills make known,
She must be dearly let, or let alone.

GEORGE HERBERT.

1593-1632.

Virtue.

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and skies.

Only a sweet and virtuous soul,
Like seasoned timber, never gives.

The Answer.

Like summer friends,

Flies of estates and sunnen shine.

The Elixir.

A servant with this clause

Makes drudgery divine;

Who sweeps a room as for thy laws
Makes that and the action fine.

The Church Porch.

A verse may find him who a sermon flies,
And turn delight into a sacrifice.

Dare to be true, nothing can need a lie;
A fault which needs it most, grows two thereby."

SIR JOHN SUCKLING.

1608-1644.

On a Wedding.

Her feet beneath her petticoat,
Like little mice stole in and out,
As if they feared the light;
But oh! she dances such a way!
No sun upon an Easter-day

Is half so fine a sight.

Her lips were red, and one was thin,
Compared with that was next her chin,
Some bee had stung it newly.

Song.

Why so pale and wan, fond lover,

Prithee, why so pale?

Will, when looking well can't move her,

Looking ill prevail?

Prithee, why so pale?

ROBERT HERRICK.

1591-1660.

The Rock of Rubies, and the Quarrie of Pearls.

Some asked me where the Rubies grew,

And nothing I did say ;

But with my finger pointed to

The lips of Julia.

Some asked how Pearls did grow, and where?
Then spoke I to my Girl,

To part her lips, and showed them there

The quarelets of Pearl.

On her Feet.

Her pretty feet, like snails, did creep

A little out, and then,

As if they played at Bo-peep,

Did soon draw in again.

To the Virgins to make much of Time.
Gather rosebuds while ye may,

ye

Old Time is still a-flying,

And this same flower, that smiles to-day,
To-morrow will be dying.*

Night Piece to Julia.

Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee,

The shooting stars attend thee;

And the elves also,

Whose little eyes glow

Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee.

Seeke and Finde,

Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt,
Nothing's so hard but search will find it out.

* Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered. -Ecclesiasticus x. 20.

To Lucasta on going to the Wars. I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honor more.

To Althea from Prison.
Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron barres a cage;
Mindes innocent, and quiet, take
That for an hermitage.

JAMES SHIRLEY.

1596-1666.

Contention of Ajax and Ulysses. Sc. iii.

Death's Final Conquest.

Only the actions of the just

Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.