Henry Constable

Damelus' Song of his Diaphenia

Diaphenia, like the daffadowndilly,
White as the sun, fair as the lily,
Heigh-ho, how I do love thee!

I do love thee as my lambs

Are beloved of their dams:

How blest were I if thou wouldst prove me!

Diaphenia, like the spreading roses,
That in thy sweets all sweets encloses,
Fair sweet, how I do love thee!

I do love thee as each flower
Loves the sun's life-giving power;
For dead, thy breath to life might

move me.

Diaphenia like to all things blessed
When all thy praises are expressed,
Dear joy, how I do love thee!
As the birds do love the spring,
Or the bees their careful king:
Then in requite, sweet virgin, love
me!

The Shepherd's Song of Venus and Adonis

Venus fair did ride, Silver doves they drew her By the pleasant lawns, Ere the sun did rise; Vesta's beauty rich

Opened wide to view her,

Philomel records

Pleasing harmonies. Every bird of spring Cheerfully did sing, Paphos' goddess they salute.

Now Love's Queen so fair

Had of mirth no care;

For her son had made her mute.

In her breast so tender

He a shaft did enter,

When her eyes beheld a boy:
Adonis was he named,

By his mother shamed;

Yet he now is Venus' joy!

Him alone she met, Ready bound for hunting; Him she kindly greets,

And his journey stays;

Him she seeks to kiss,

No devices wanting;

Him her eyes still woo,

Him her tongue still prays.
He with blushing red,
Hangeth down the head;

Not a kiss can he afford;

His face is turned away,
Silence said her nay,

Still she wooed him for a word.

"Speak," she said,

"thou fairest;

Beauty thou impairest;

See me, I am pale and wan:

Lovers all adore me,

I for love implore thee;" Crystal tears with that down ran.

Him herewith she forced

To come sit down by her,
She his neck embraced,
Gazing in his face.

He, like one transformed,
Stirred no look to eye her;
Every herb did woo him,

Growing in that place.

VENUS AND ADONIS

Each bird with a ditty
Prayed him for pity,

In behalf of Beauty's Queen.
Water's gentle murmur

Craved him to love her;

Yet no liking could be seen.

66

'Boy," she said, "look on me, Still I gaze upon thee,

Speak, I pray thee, my delight."
Coldly he replied,

And in brief denied

To bestow on her a sight.

"I am now too young

To be won by beauty,

Tender are my years,
I am yet a bud.”

"Fair thou art," she said,

"Then it is thy duty,

Wert thou but a blossom,
To effect my good.

Every beauteous flower
Boasteth in my power,
Birds and beasts my laws effect;
Myrrha, thy fair mother,

Most of any other,

Did my lovely hests respect.
Be with me delighted,
Thou shalt be requited,