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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

As when some brook flies from itself away,
    The murmuring crystal loosely runs astray,
    And, as about the verdant plain it winds,
    The meadows with a silver ribbon binds,
    Printing a kiss on every flower she meets,                         5
    Losing herself to fill them with new sweets,
    To scatter frost upon the lily's head.
    And scarlet on the gilliflower to spread,--
    So melting sorrow, in the fair disguise
    Of humid stars,[63:1] flow'd from bright Chloris' eyes,           10
    Which, watering every flower her cheek discloses,
    Melts into jasmines here, there into roses.


          TO HIS MISTRESS IN ABSENCE.

            [Tasso.]

    Far from thy dearest self, the scope
            Of all my aims,
        I waste in secret flames;
    And only live because I hope.

    O when will Fate restore                                           5
            The joys, in whose bright fire
        My expectation shall expire,
    That I may live because I hope no more!


          THE HASTY KISS.

            [Secundus.]

    A kiss I begg'd, and thou didst[64:1] join
          Thy[64:2] lips to mine;
    Then, as afraid, snatch'd[64:3] back their treasure,
          And mock'd[64:4] my pleasure.
    Again, my Dearest![64:5]--for in this                              5
    Thou only gav'st[64:6] desire, and not a kiss.


          SONG: WHEN THOU THY PLIANT ARMS.

            [Secundus.]

    When thou thy pliant arms dost wreathe
    About my neck, and gently breathe
    Into my breast that soft sweet air
    With which thy soul doth mine repair;
    When my faint life thou draw'st away,                              5
    (My life which scorching flames decay,)
    O'ercharg'd, my panting bosom boils,
    Whose fever thy kind art beguiles,
    And with the breath that did inspire
    Doth mildly fan my glowing fire.                                  10
    Transported, then I cry: 'Above
    All other deities is Love!
    Or if a deity there be
    Greater than Love, 'tis only thee.'


          SONG: 'TIS NO KISS.

            [Secundus.]

    'Tis no kiss my Fair bestows!
    Nectar 'tis, whence new life flows.
    All the sweets which nimble bees
    In their osier treasuries
    With unequall'd art repose,                                        5
    In one kiss, her lips disclose.
    These, if I should many take,
    Soon would me immortal make,
    Rais'd to the divine abodes,
    And the banquets of the gods.                                     10
    Be not, then, too lavish, Fair!
    But this heavenly treasure spare,
    'Less thou'lt, too, immortal be:
    For without thy company
    What to me were the abodes                                        15
    Or the banquets of the gods?


        TRANSLATED FROM ANACREON.

          I. _The Chase._

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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.

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