What shall we have to our supper? Three beans in a pound of butter. But, when supper they were at, The frog, the mouse, and e'en the rat, Then came in Tib, our cat, And caught the mouse e'en by the back, Then did they separate: The frog leapt on the floor so flat; Then came in Dick, our drake, And drew the frog e'en to the lake, The rat he ran up the wall, And so the company parted all. TO ALTHEA, FROM PRISON RICHARD LOVELACE When love with unconfinèd wings Hovers within my gates, And my divine Althea brings To whisper at my grates; When I lie tangled in her hair, And fetter'd to her eye, The birds that wanton in the air Know no such liberty. When flowing cups run swiftly round, With no allaying Thames, Our careless heads with roses bound, Our hearts with loyal flames; When thirsty grief in wine we steep, When healths and draughts are free,-- Fishes that tipple in the deep Know no such liberty. When linnet-like confinèd, I With shriller throat shall sing The sweetness, mercy, majesty, And glories of my king: When I shall voice aloud how good He is, how great should be,-- Enlargèd winds that curl the flood Know no such liberty. Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage; Minds innocent and quiet take That for a hermitage: If I have freedom in my love, And in my soul am free,-- Angels alone that soar above Enjoy such liberty. TO LUCASTA, ON GOING TO THE WARS Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind,-- That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind To war and arms I fly. True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field; And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield. Yet this inconstancy is such As you, too, shall adore; I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honour more. YE GENTLEMEN OF ENGLAND MARTIN PARKER Ye gentlemen of England That live at home at ease, Ah! little do ye think upon The dangers of the seas. Give ear unto the mariners, And they will plainly show All the cares and the fears When the stormy winds do blow. When the stormy winds do blow. If enemies oppose us When England is at war With any foreign nation, We fear not wound or scar; Our roaring guns shall teach 'em Our valour for to know, Whilst they reel on the keel, And the stormy winds do blow. And the stormy winds do blow. Then courage, all brave mariners, And never be dismay'd; While we have bold adventurers, We ne'er shall want a trade: Our merchants will employ us To fetch them wealth, we know; Then be bold--work for gold, When the stormy winds do blow. When the stormy winds do blow. THE FAIRY QUEEN ANONYMOUS