[6 With _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_P_, _S_, _TC:_ By _1635-69_, _Chambers_]
[8 string; _Ed:_ string, _1633-69_]
[9 to'entergraft _1633_, _A18_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _P_, _S_, _TC:_ to engraft _1635-69_, _A25_, _JC_, _O'F_,
_Chambers_]
[11 in _1633-69_, _P:_ on _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_]
[15 their _1633 and most MSS.:_ our _1635-69_, _O'F_, _P_]
[18 lay; _Ed:_ lay, _1633-69_]
[25 knew _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_N_, _P_, _TC:_ knowes _1633_, _D_, _Lec_]
[29 doth] do _1669_]
[31 sexe, _1669:_ sexe _1633-54_]
[42 Interinanimates _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_N_, _O'F_, _P_, _TC:_ Interanimates _1633-69_, _D_, _Lec_]
[44 loneliness] loveliness _1669_]
[46 made, _1633-39:_ made: _1650-69_]
[47 Atomies _1633-54:_ Atomes _1669_]
[48 are soules, _1633_, _1669:_ are soule, _1635-54_]
[51 though they are not _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_,
_H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ though not
_1633-69_]
[52 spheare. _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ spheares. _1633-69_]
[55 forces, sense, _A18_, _A25_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ senses force _1633-69_]
[59 Soe _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _H40_, _JC_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _S96_,
_TC:_ For _1633-69_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[64 makes] make _1635-39_]
[72 his] the _1669_]
[76 gone. _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_O'F_, _S_, _TC:_ growne. _1635-69_, _P_, _S96_]
_Loves Deitie._
I long 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.
But since this god produc'd a destinie, 5
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;
But when an even flame two hearts did touch, 10
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.
But every moderne god will now extend 15
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
To ungod this child againe, it could not bee 20
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 trie
A deeper plague, to make her love mee too, 25
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. _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'ned _1669_]
[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 make _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ may make _1633-69_,
_Lec_]
[26 Which,] Which _1633_]
_Loves diet._
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,
Give it a diet, made it feed upon 5
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 got
A she sigh from my mistresse heart, 10
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 so
With scorne or shame, that him it nourish'd not;
If he suck'd hers, I let him know 15
'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,
But burnt my letters; When she writ to me, 20
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?
Thus I reclaim'd my buzard love, to flye 25
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:
And the game kill'd, or lost, goe talke, and sleepe. 30
[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,] Her _1669_]
[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 that _1633:_ if that _1635-69_. _See note_]
[24 name] man _1669_]
[25 reclaim'd _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TCC:_ redeem'd _1633_, _Lec_]
[26 chuse] chose _1669_]
[27 sport _1635-69_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _S_, _S96_, _TCC:_ sports, _1633_]
[30 and _1633 and most MSS.:_ or _1635-69_, _Cy_, _O'F_, _S_]
_The Will._
Before I sigh my last gaspe, let me breath,
Great love, some Legacies; Here I bequeath
Mine eyes to _Argus_, if mine eyes can see,
If they be blinde, then Love, I give them thee;
My tongue to Fame; to'Embassadours mine eares; 5
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.
My constancie I to the planets give; 10
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;
My mony to a Capuchin. 15
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;
All my good works unto the Schismaticks 20
Of Amsterdam; my best civility
And Courtship, to an Universitie;
My modesty I give to souldiers bare;
My patience let gamesters share.
Thou Love taughtst mee, by making mee 25
Love her that holds my love disparity,
Onely to give to those that count my gifts indignity.
I give my reputation to those
Which were my friends; Mine industrie to foes;
To Schoolemen I bequeath my doubtfulnesse; 30
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
Her, who begot this love in mee before, 35
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 rowles
Of Morall counsels, I to Bedlam give;
My brazen medals, unto them which live 40
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
For yonger lovers, dost my gifts thus disproportion. 45
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;
And all your graces no more use shall have 50
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. or_ A 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 I _1633-54:_ I here _1669_, _Chambers_]
[6 teares. _Ed:_ teares; _1633-69_]
[8 serve her] love her _1669_]
[10 give; _Ed:_ give, _1633-69_]
[10-27 _These stanzas printed without a break, 1669_]
[14 hath] have _1669_]
[18 an incapacitie.] no good Capacity. _1669_]
[19-27 _omitted_, _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 did _1633 and MSS.:_ do _1635-69_, _O'F_]
[45 gifts _1633-35_, _1669:_ gift _1639-54_]
[46 more; But _1633:_ more, but _1635-69_]
[49-51 forth; ... grave. _1669:_ forth ... grave, _1633-39 by
interchange:_ forth ... grave. _1650-54_]
[54 all three. _1633-39_, three _being below the line in 1633
and above in 1635-39:_ al. three _1650-54_, _the full stop
having fallen from_ three _to_ all _below it:_ annihilate
thee. _1669_]
_The Funerall._
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,
For 'tis my outward Soule, 5
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 fall
Through every part, 10
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
By this should know my pain, 15
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 am
Loves martyr, it might breed idolatrie,
If into others hands these Reliques came; 20
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_, _TCD_]
[3 which ... arme;] about mine arm; _1669_]
[6 then to _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ unto _1633-69_]
[12 These _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _N_, _S_ (The),
_S96_, _TC:_ Those _1633-69_, _Lec_, _O'F_ grew, _1633-39:_
grow, _1650-69_]
[16 condemn'd] condem'nd _1633_]
[17 with me, _1635-69 and MSS.:_ by me, _1633_]
[24 save _A18_, _B_, _Cy_, _D_, _H49_, _L74_, _N_, _P_, _TC:_
have _1633-69_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S96:_ _om. S_]
_The Blossome._
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,
And now dost laugh and triumph on this bough, 5
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 heart
That labour'st yet to nestle thee, 10
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,
That thou to morrow, ere that Sunne doth wake, 15
Must with this Sunne, and mee a journey take.
But thou which lov'st to bee
Subtile to plague thy selfe, wilt say,
Alas, if you must goe, what's that to mee?
Here lyes my businesse, and here I will stay: 20
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?
Well then, stay here; but know, 25
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,
Know thee for one? 30
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 see
Mee fresher, and more fat, by being with men, 35
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
As glad to have my body, as my minde. 40
[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'st _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ labourest _1635-69:_ labours
_1633_]
[15 that Sunne _1633:_ the Sunne _1635-69_]
[18 wilt] will _1669_]
[23 tongue _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _N_,
_O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_ _om. S:_ tast _1633-69_]
[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 would _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _N_, _O'F_,
_S_, _S96_, _TC:_ I will _1633-69_, _Lec_]
_The Primrose, being at Montgomery Castle, upon the hill, on which it
is situate._
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;
And where their forme, and their infinitie 5
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,
But must, or more, or lesse then woman bee. 10
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
Be more then woman, shee would get above 15
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,
She were by art, then Nature falsify'd. 20
Live Primrose then, and thrive
With thy true number five;
And women, whom this flower doth represent,
With this mysterious number be content;
Ten is the farthest number; if halfe ten 25
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
First into this, five, women may take us all. 30
[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] and _om. 1635-39, A18, N, S, TC_]
[23 women] woman _Chambers_]
[25 number; _Ed:_ number, _1633-69_]
[26 Belonge _all the MSS.:_ Belongs _1633-69_. _See note_]
[27 men; _Ed:_ men, _1633-39:_ men: _1650-69_]
[28 their _1633-39:_ the _1650-69_]
[29 and _1633:_ since _1635-69_]
[30 this, _Ed:_ this _1633_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _Lec_,
_N_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ _om. 1635-69, O'F, Chambers_]
_The Relique._
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)
And he that digs it, spies 5
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
To make their soules, at the last busie day, 10
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 bring
Us, to the Bishop, and the King, 15
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;
And since at such time, miracles are sought, 20
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,
Difference of sex no more wee knew, 25
Then our Guardian Angells doe;
Comming and going, wee
Perchance might kisse, but not between those meales;
Our hands ne'r toucht the seales,
Which nature, injur'd by late law, sets free: 30
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, A25_]
[13 mis-devotion _1633-54_, _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H49_,
_JC_, _Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ mass-devotion
_1669_, _Chambers_]
[15 and _1633-54 and MSS.:_ or _1669_, _Chambers_]
[17 Thou shalt be] You shal be _A25_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_,
_S_. _See note_]
[20 time] times _JC_, _O'F_]
[21 have that age] that age were _A18_, _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_)]
[26 doe; _Ed:_ doe, _1633-69_]
[27 wee _Ed:_ wee, _1633-69_]
[28 not] yet _1669_
meales; _Ed:_ meales. _1633:_ meales _1635-69, following some
copies of 1633_]
[30 sets] set _1669_ free: _1650-69:_ free, _1633-39_]
_The Dampe._
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,
You thinke a sodaine dampe of love 5
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,
And pleasure in your conquest have, 10
First kill th'enormous Gyant, your _Disdaine_,
And let th'enchantresse _Honor_, next be slaine,
And like a Goth and Vandall rize,
Deface Records, and Histories
Of your owne arts and triumphs over men, 15
And without such advantage kill me then.
For I could muster up as well as you
My Gyants, and my Witches too,
Which are vast _Constancy_, and _Secretnesse_,
But these I neyther looke for, nor professe; 20
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_, _TCD_]
[4 When] And _1669_
my _1633-39:_ mine _1650-69_]
[9 victories! _1650-69:_ victories; _1633-39_]
[10 your] the _1669_
conquest] conquests _JC_]
[13 and Vandall _1633-54_, _A18_, _B_, _D_, _H49_, _JC_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_, _S96_, _TC:_ or Vandall _1669_,
_Chambers_]
[15 arts] acts _1669_, _JC_]
[20 professe; _Ed:_ professe, _1633-69_]
[24 In that _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ Naked _1635-69_, _B_,
_D_, _H49_, _Lec_, _JC_, _O'F_, _P_, _S_]
_The Dissolution._
Shee'is dead; And all which die
To their first Elements resolve;
And wee were mutuall Elements to us,
And made of one another.
My body then doth hers involve, 5
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,
Water of teares, and earthly sad despaire, 10
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
But that my fire doth with my fuell grow. 15
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)
This death, hath with my store 20
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_, _TCD_]
[10 earthly _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ earthy _1635-69_]
[12 neere _1635-69_ (But ... securitie _bracketed 1669_): ne'r
_1633_]
[24 latter] later _1669_]
_A Ieat Ring Sent._
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?
Marriage rings are not of this stuffe; 5
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,
Circle this fingers top, which did'st her thombe. 10
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 the_ Epigrams)]
[7 loves] love _O'F_ say, _Ed:_ say _1633-69_]
_Negative love._
I never 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,
For sense, and understanding may 5
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.
If that be simply perfectest 10
Which can by no way be exprest
But _Negatives_, my love is so.
To All, which all love, I say no.
If any who deciphers best,
What we know not, our selves, can know, 15
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_, _C_]
[4 to'admire, _1633-39:_ to'admire; _1650-69_]
[5 For] Both _A25_, _C_]
[11 way] means _1669_, _O'F_]
[16 nothing; _1633:_ nothing. _1635-69_]
_The Prohibition._
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,
By being to thee then what to me thou wast; 5
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,
Or too much triumph in the Victorie. 10
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.
Then, least my being nothing lessen thee, 15
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;
Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee; 20
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 headed_ J. D., _last verse_ T. 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_ (mee _for_ thee _B_, _P_): By
being to mee then that which thou wast; _1633:_ _om._ _A18_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _N_, _TC_]
[18 neithers _Ed:_ neythers _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC:_ neyther
_O'F_, _RP31:_ neyther their _Cy:_ ne'r their _1633-69_, _B_]
[20 thy _1635-69:_ my _1633_ (thy _in some copies_)]
[22 I, live, _Ed:_ I live _1633-69_
Stage, _1635-69_, _B_, _Cy_, _H40_, _O'F:_ stay, _1633_, _JC:_
staye, _D_, _H49_
not] and _H40_]
[23-4
Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe
_To let mee live, Oh_ (of _in some copies_)
_love and hate mee too._
_1633_, _B_
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 first_ thou _and some with_ Oh _for_ yet)
Lest thou thy love, and hate, and me thou undo,
_O let me live, yet love and hate me too._
_1669_.]
_The Expiration._
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,
We ask'd none leave to love; nor will we owe 5
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,
And a just office on a murderer doe. 10
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_, _JC_]
[1 So, so,] So, go _1669_]
[5 ask'd _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _C_ _JC_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC:_
aske _1633-69_, _P_, _S_]
[9 Oh, _1633_, _A18_, _A25_, _JC_, _N_, _TC:_ Or, _1635-69_,
_B_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
_The Computation._
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.
Teares drown'd one hundred, and sighes blew out two, 5
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
Am, by being dead, Immortall; Can ghosts die? 10
[The Computation. _1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_, _TCD:_ _no
title_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_]
[1 For _1633-54:_ From _1669_
the _1633_, _A18_, _N_, _TC:_ my _1635-69_, _B_, _O'F_, _S_,
_Chambers_]
[3 For] And _1669_]
[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] one _O'F_, _S:_ _line dropped_ _A18_, _N_, _TC_
forgot] forget _1669_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_]
_The Paradox._
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:
I cannot say I lov'd, for who can say 5
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,
Hee that saith twice, doth lye: 10
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,
Or like the heat, which fire in solid matter 15
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;
Love-slaine, loe, here I lye. 20
[The Paradox. _1635-69_: _no title_, _1633_, _A18_, _H40_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_ _TCC_, _TCD_]
[3 can, nor will agree _A18_, _H40_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC_:
can or will agree, _1633-69_]
[6 yesterday?] yesterday. _1633-39_]
[14 lights life _H40_, _L74_, _RP31_, _S:_ lifes light
_1633-69_, _A18_, _N_, _O'F_, _S96_, _TC_]
[15 which _Ed:_ which, _1633-69_]
[17 lov'd _A18_, _H40_, _L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _S_, _TC:_ love
_1633-69_
dy'd] dyed _1633-69_]
[20 lye. _H40_, _RP31_, _S_, _S96:_ dye. _1633-69_, _A18_,
_L74_, _N_, _O'F_, _TC_]
_Farewell to Love._
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
Call, what they cannot name, an unknowne power, 5
As ignorantly did I crave:
Thus when
Things not yet knowne are coveted by men,
Our desires give them fashion, and so
As they waxe lesser, fall, as they sise, grow. 10
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
Blindly admire, and with such worship wooe; 15
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
A kinde of sorrowing dulnesse to the minde. 20
Ah cannot wee,
As well as Cocks and Lyons jocund be,
After such pleasures? Unlesse wise
Nature decreed (since each such Act, they say,
Diminisheth the length of life a day) 25
This, as shee would man should despise
The sport;
Because that other curse of being short,
And onely for a minute made to be,
(Eagers desire) to raise posterity. 30
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.
And when I come where moving beauties be, 35
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,
'Tis but applying worme-seed to the Taile. 40
[Farewell to love. _1635-69_ (_following_ Soules joy: _p._
429), _O'F_, _S96_]
[4 Worship; _Ed:_ Worship, _1635-69_]
[10 sise, _1635-69_, _O'F:_ rise _S96_]
[23 pleasures? _Ed:_ pleasures, _1635-69_]
[26 This, _Ed:_ This; _1635-69_]
[27 sport; _Ed:_ sport, _1635-69_]
[29 to be, _Ed:_ to be _1635-69_]
[30 (Eagers desire) _Ed:_ Eager, desires _1635-69_. _See
note_]
[36 summers _1635-69:_ summer _1650-1669_]
_A Lecture upon the Shadow._
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
Along with us, which we our selves produc'd; 5
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,
Disguises did, and shadowes, flow, 10
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,
We shall new shadowes make the other way. 15
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;
To me thou, falsly, thine, 20
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.
Love is a growing, or full constant light; 25
And his first minute, after noone, is night.
[A Lecture _&c._ _1650-69:_ Lecture _&c_, _A18_, _N_, _TCC_,
_TCD:_ Song. _1635-39_ (_following_ Dear Love continue: _p._
412): The Shadowe. _O'F_, _P:_ Shadowe. _S96:_ Loves Lecture.
_S:_ Loves Lecture upon the Shaddow. _L74:_ Loves Philosophy.
_JC:_ _no title_, _A25_, _B_, _C_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _Lec_]
[4 Walking _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _N_, _TC:_ In walking _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _S96_
here, _1719:_ here; _1635-39:_ here: _1650-69_]
[9 loves _1635-54_, _A18_, _L74_, _N_, _TC:_ love _1669_, _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_]
[12 high'st] least _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_,
_S_, _S96_]
[14 loves _1635-69_, _A18_, _A25_, _L74_, _N_, _TC:_ love _B_,
_D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _Lec_, _O'F_, _S_, _S96_]
[19 If our loves faint _1635-69_, _A25_, _O'F_ (love), _P_,
_S96_ (love), _TC:_ If once love faint _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_,
_JC_, _S_]
[26 first _A18_, _A25_, _B_, _D_, _H40_, _H49_, _JC_, _L74_,
_Lec_, _N_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96_, _TC:_ short _1635-69_]
_Sonnet. The Token._
Send me some token, that my hope may live,
Or that my easelesse thoughts may sleep and rest;
Send me some honey to make sweet my hive,
That in my passion I may hope the best.
I beg noe ribbond wrought with thine owne hands, 5
To knit our loves in the fantastick straine
Of new-toucht youth; nor Ring to shew the stands
Of our affection, that as that's round and plaine,
So should our loves meet in simplicity;
No, nor the Coralls which thy wrist infold, 10
Lac'd up together in congruity,
To shew our thoughts should rest in the same hold;
No, nor thy picture, though most gracious,
And most desir'd, because best like the best;
Nor witty Lines, which are most copious, 15
Within the Writings which thou hast addrest.
Send me nor this, nor that, t'increase my store,
But swear thou thinkst I love thee, and no more.
[Sonnet. The Token. _1649-69_ (_following_ Vpon Mr. Thomas
Coryats Crudities. _at close of_ Epicedes): Ad Lesbiam. _S96_:
_no title_, _B_, _Cy_: Sonnet. _O'F_: Elegie. _P_]
[1 token _B_, _O'F_, _S96_: Tokens _1650-69_, _P_]
[4 passion _S96_: passions _1650-69_, _B_, _P_]
[5 noe _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ nor _1650-69_]
[9 simplicity; _Ed:_ simplicity. _1650-69_]
[11 in _1650-69:_ with _B_, _O'F_, _S96_]
[12 hold; _Ed:_ hold. _1650-69_]
[14 desir'd because ... best; _B_, _O'F_, _S96:_ desired
'cause 'tis like thee best; _1650-54:_ desired 'cause 'tis
like the best; _1669_, _Chambers_]
[17 store, _B_, _O'F_, _P_, _S96:_ score, _1650-69_]
<_Selfe Love._>
He that cannot chuse but love,
And strives against it still,
Never shall my fancy move;
For he loves 'gaynst his will;
Nor he which is all his own, 5
And can att pleasure chuse,
When I am caught he can be gone,
And when he list refuse.
Nor he that loves none but faire,
For such by all are sought; 10
Nor he that can for foul ones care,
For his Judgement then is nought:
Nor he that hath wit, for he
Will make me his jest or slave;
Nor a fool, for when others..., 15
He can neither....
Nor he that still his Mistresse payes,
For she is thrall'd therefore:
Nor he that payes not, for he sayes
Within, shee's worth no more. 20
Is there then no kinde of men
Whom I may freely prove?
I will vent that humour then
In mine own selfe love.
[<Selfe Love.> _title given by Chambers:_ _no title, 1650-69_
(_in appendix_), _JC_, _O'F_]
[4 'gaynst _JC_, _O'F:_ against _1650-69_]
[6 And can ... chuse, _JC:_ And cannot pleasure chuse,
_1650-69:_ And can all pleasures chuse, _O'F_]
[11 foul ones] fouleness _O'F_]
[14 slave; _1719:_ slave _1650-69_]
[15 fool, _1719:_ fool _1650-69_]
[17 payes, _JC_, _O'F:_ prays, _1650-69_]
[19 payes not,] payes, not, _1650-69_]
[20 Within, _Ed:_ Within _1650-69_]
_The end of the Songs and Sonets._
* * * * *