A[h] fairest _Ganymede_, disdaine me not, Though silly Sheepeheard I, presume to loue thee, Though my harsh songs and Sonnets cannot moue thee, Yet to thy beauty is my loue no blot. _Apollo_, _Ioue_, and many Gods beside, S' daind not the name of cuntry shepheards swains Nor want we pleasure, though we take some pains, We liue contentedly: a thing call'd pride, Which so corrupts the Court and euery place, (Each place I meane where learning is neglected, And yet of late, euen learnings selfe's infected) I know not what it meanes, in any case: Wee onely (when _Molorchus_ gins to peepe) Learne for to folde, and to vnfold our sheepe. _SONNET. XVI._ [Illustration] Long haue I long'd to see my Loue againe, Still haue I wisht, but neuer could obtaine it; Rather than all the world (if I might gaine it) Would I desire my loues sweet precious gaine. Yet in my soule I see him euerie day, See him, and see his still sterne countenaunce, But (ah) what is of long continuance, Where Maiestie and Beautie beares the sway? Sometimes, when I imagine that I see him, (As loue is full of foolish fantasies) VVeening to kisse his lips, as my loues fee's, I feele but Aire: nothing but Aire to bee him. Thus with _Ixion_, kisse I clouds in vaine: Thus with _Ixion_, feele I endles paine. _SONNET. XVII._ [Illustration] Cherry-lipt _Adonis_ in his snowie shape, Might not compare with his pure Iuorie white, On whose faire front a Poets pen may write, Whose rosiate red excels the crimson grape, His loue-enticing delicate soft limbs, Are rarely fram'd t'intrap poore gazing eies: His cheekes, the Lillie and Carnation dies, With louely tincture which _Apolloes_ dims. His lips ripe strawberries in Nectar wet, His mouth a Hiue, his tongue a hony-combe, Where Muses (like Bees) make their mansion. His teeth pure Pearle in blushing Correll set. Oh how can such a body sinne-procuring, Be slow to loue, and quicke to hate, enduring? _SONNET. XVIII._ [Illustration] Not _Megabætes_ nor _Cleonymus_, (Of whom great _Plutarch_ makes such mention, Praysing their faire with rare inuention) As _Ganymede_ were halfe so beauteous. They onely pleas'd the eies of two great Kings, But all the worlde at my loue stands amazed, Nor one that on his Angels face hath gazed, But (rauisht with delight) him Presents brings. Some weaning Lambs, and some a suckling Kyd, Some Nuts, and fil-beards, others Peares and Plums, Another with a milk-white Heyfar comes; As lately _Ægons_ man (_Damætas_) did: But neither he, nor all the Nymphs beside, Can win my _Ganymede_, with them t'abide. _SONNET. XIX._ [Illustration]