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Thomas Stanley: His Original Lyrics, Complete, In Their Collated Readings of 1647, 1651, 1657.: With an Introduction, Textual Notes, a List of Editions, an Appendix of Translations, and a Portrait. — John Shaqi

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Thomas Stanley: His Original Lyrics, Complete, In Their Collated Readings of 1647, 1651, 1657.: With an Introduction, Textual Notes, a List of Editions, an Appendix of Translations, and a Portrait.

Name: Thomas Stanley: His Original Lyrics, Complete, In Their Collated Readings of 1647, 1651, 1657.: With an Introduction, Textual Notes, a List of Editions, an Appendix of Translations, and a Portrait.
Author: Stanley, Thomas

Stanley, Thomas

English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700; Stanley, Thomas, 1625-1678

Foolish Lover, go and seek
      For the damask of the rose,
      And the lilies white dispose
    To adorn thy mistress' cheek;

    Steal some star out of the sky,                                    5
      Rob the phoenix, and the east
      Of her wealthy sweets divest,
    To enrich her breath or eye!

    We thy borrow'd pride despise:
      For this wine to which we are                                   10
      Votaries, is richer far
    Than her cheek, or breath, or eyes.

    And should that coy fair one view
      These diviner beauties, she
      In this flame would rival thee,                                 15
    And be taught to love thee too.

    Come, then, break thy wanton chain,
      That when this brisk wine hath spread
      On thy paler cheek a red,
    Thou, like us, may'st Love disdain.                               20

    Love, thy power must yield to wine!
      And whilst thus ourselves we arm,
      Boldly we defy thy charm:
    For these flames extinguish[20:1] thine.


          THE PARTING.

          I go, dear Saint, away,
              Snatch'd from thy arms
          By far less pleasing charms,
          Than those I did[21:1] obey;
      But if hereafter thou shalt know                                 5
          That grief hath kill'd me, come,[21:2]
              And on my tomb
          Drop, drop a tear or two;
    Break with thy sighs the silence of my sleep,
    And I shall smile in death to see thee weep.                      10

          Thy tears may have the power
              To reinspire
          My ashes with new fire,
          Or change me to some flower,
      Which, planted 'twixt thy breasts, shall grow:                  15
          Veil'd in this shape, I will
          Dwell with thee still,
      Court, kiss, enjoy thee too:
    Securely we'll contemn[21:3] all envious force,
    And thus united be by death's divorce.                            20


          COUNSEL.

    When deceitful lovers lay
      At thy feet their suppliant hearts,
    And their snares spread to betray
      Thy best treasure[22:1] with their arts,
    Credit not their flatt'ring vows:                                  5
    Love such perjury allows.

    When they with the[22:2] choicest wealth
      Nature boasts of, have possess'd thee;
    When with flowers (their verses' stealth),
      Stars, or jewels they invest thee,[22:3]                        10
    Trust not to their borrow'd store:
    'Tis but lent to make thee poor.

    When with poems[22:4] they invade thee,
      Sing thy praises or disdain;
    When they weep, and would persuade thee                           15
      That their flames beget that rain;
    Let thy breast no baits let in:
    Mercy's only here a sin!

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Thomas Stanley: His Original Lyrics, Complete, In Their Collated Readings of 1647, 1651, 1657.: With an Introduction, Textual Notes, a List of Editions, an Appendix of Translations, and a Portrait.

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