The Sophy. A Tragedy. Actions of the last age are like Almanacs of the last year. EDMUND WALLER. 1605-1687. Verses upon his Divine Poesy. The soul's dark cottage, battered and decayed,* Upon the death of the Lord Protector. Under the tropic is our language spoke, On a Girdle. A narrow compass! and yet there Take all the rest the sun goes round. Go, lovely Rose. How small a part of time they share That are so wondrous sweet and fair; * Drawing near her death, she sent most pious thoughts as harbingers to heaven; and her soul saw a glimpse of happiness through the chinks of her sickness-broken body. Holy and Profane State. Book i. ch. ii. FULLER. To a Lady singing a Song of his composing. Which, on the shaft that made him die, Wherewith he wont to soar so high. MARQUIS OF MONTROSE. 1612-1650. Song, "My Dear and only Love." I'll make thee famous by my pen, WILLIAM BASSE. 1613-1648. On Shakespeare. Renowned Spenser, lie a thought more nigh For Shakespeare in your threefold, fourfold tomb. FRANCIS BEAUMONT. 1585-1616. Letter to Ben Jonson. What things have we seen Done at the Mermaid! heard words that have been So nimble and so full of subtile flame, As if that every one from whence they came Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest, And resolved to live a fool the rest Of his dull life. GEORGE WITHER. 1588-1667. The Shepherd's Resolution. Shall I, wasting in despair, Die because a woman 's fair? Be she fairer than the day, If she be not so to me, What care I how fair she be?* *Shall I like a hermit dwell On a rock or in a cell, Calling home the smallest part If she undervalue me What care I how fair she be. Attributed to Sir Walter Raleigh. THOMAS CAREW. 1589-1639. Disdain Returned. He that loves a rosy cheek, Conquest by Flight. Then fly betimes, for only they FRANCIS QUARLES. 1592-1644. Emblems. Book ii. 2. Be wisely worldly, but not worldly wise. 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, 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 The Church Porch. A verse may find him who a sermon flies, Dare to be true, nothing can need a lie; |