Why canst thou not, as others do,
Look on me with unwounding eyes?
And yet look sweet, but yet not so,
Smile, but not in killing wise;
Arm not thy graces to confound;
Only look, but do not wound.
Why should mine eyes see more in you
Than they can see in all the rest?
For I can others’ beauties view,
And not find my heart opprest.
O be as others are to me,
Or let me be more to thee.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration: “_With Jockey to the Fair_”]
“_WITH JOCKEY TO THE FAIR._”
Twas on the morn of sweet May-day,
When nature painted all things gay--
Taught birds to sing and lambs to play
And deck’d the meadows fair--
Young Jockey early in the morn
Arose and tripped it o’er the lawn.
His Sunday coat the youth put on;
For Jenny had vowed away to run
With Jockey to the fair.
The cheerful parish bells had rung.
With eager steps he trudg’d along;
Sweet flowing garlands round him hung,
Which shepherds us’d to wear.
He tapp’d the window. “Hush, my dear!”
Jenny, impatient, cried, “Who’s there?”
“’Tis I, my love, and no one near.
Step gently down, you’ve naught to fear
With Jockey to the fair.”
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
“My dad and mammy ’re fast asleep.
My brother up and with the sheep.
And will you still your promise keep,
Which I have heard you swear?
And will you ever constant prove?”
“I will, by all the pow’rs above!
And ne’er deceive my charming dove.
Dispel those doubts, and haste, my love,
With Jockey to the fair.”
“Behold the ring!” the shepherd cried.
“Will Jenny be my charming bride?
Let Cupid be our happy guide,
And Hymen meet us there.”
Then Jockey did his vows renew--
He would be constant, would be true.
His word was pledged, away she flew,
With cowslips sparkling with the dew,
With Jockey to the fair.
Soon did they meet a joyful throng.
Their gay companions, blithe and young,
Each joins the dance, each joins the song
To hail the happy pair.
What two were e’er so fond as they?
All bless the kind propitious day--
The smiling morn, the blooming May,
When lovely Jenny ran away
With Jockey to the fair.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration: “_Sweet Nelly my Heart’s Delight._”]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
“_SWEET NELLY, MY HEART’S DELIGHT._”
HE. Sweet Nelly, my heart’s delight,
Be loving, and do not slight
The proffer I make
For modesty’s sake.
I honor your beauty bright;
For love I profess,
I can do no less.
Thou hast my favor won.
And since I see
Your modesty,
I pray you agree,
And fancy me,
Though I’m but a farmer’s son.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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