213. A HYMN TO LOVE

I will confess

With cheerfulness,

Love is a thing so likes me,

That, let her lay

On me all day,

I'll kiss the hand that strikes me.

I will not, I,

Now blubb'ring cry,

It, ah! too late repents me

That I did fall

To love at all--

Since love so much contents me.

No, no, I'll be

In fetters free;

While others they sit wringing

Their hands for pain,

I'll entertain

The wounds of love with singing.

With flowers and wine,

And cakes divine,

To strike me I will tempt thee;

Which done, no more

I'll come before

Thee and thine altars empty.

214. UPON LOVE:

BY WAY OF QUESTION AND ANSWER

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

ANS. Like, and dislike ye.

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

ANS. Stroke ye, to strike ye.

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

ANS. Love will be-fool ye.

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

ANS. Heat ye, to cool ye.

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

ANS. Love, gifts will send ye.

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

ANS. Stock ye, to spend ye.

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

ANS. Love will fulfil ye.

I bring ye love. QUES. What will love do?

ANS. Kiss ye, to kill ye.

A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick · 第 224 / 269 题