romantic poems

Twenty years on the road of love
but the road is still unmapped.
Sometimes I was the victor.
More often the vanquished.
Twenty years, O book of love
and still on the first page.

ACT . IV. S CEN. VI.

Lucasia, Eumela, Charistus, Olyndus. Luc .

I must confess, had not this Action been
Tainted with private Interest, but born
From zeal unto the Publique, then it might
Have been read Valour, as it is, it will
Be stil'd but Fury. Eum .
Madam it had then
Been only Valour, now 'tis Love and Valour. Luc .
Where those Religious Names, King, Country, Father,
Are trampled over, can you call it Valour? Cha .
If trampled o'r for you. To hazard all

When as the rye reach to the chin,
And chopcherry, chopcherry ripe within,
Strawberries swimming in the cream,
And school-boys playing in the stream;
Then O, then O, then O my true love said,
Till that time come again,
She could not live a maid.

All ye that lovely lovers be,
Pray you for me;
Lo, here we come a-sowing, a-sowing,
And sow sweet fruits of love;
In your sweet hearts well may it prove!

Lo, here we come a-reaping, a-reaping,
To reap our harvest-fruit!
And thus we pass the year so long,
And never be we mute.

II

Years have flown since I knew thee first,
And I know thee as water is known of thirst;
Yet I knew thee of old at the first sweet sight,
And thou art strange to me, Love, tonight.

Sums up Love, Life, Liberation, Etc.

The world is hungry for Beauty;
With eager and terrible eyes
It strains to its passionate bosom
Each tawdry and tender surprise.

Common and liberal and holy,
The songs of its spirit ascend —
Lavish and casual and conquering,
Reckless and glad — at the end!

After a Titanic Struggle, Gives Birth to An Epigram .

When royal Love designs to visit Man
He dons his purple robes, his crown of fire;
And, with a treasure-laden caravan,
He smiles and goes — accompanied by Desire.

But, when Love designs to come to Woman, he
Puts off his royal vestments, leaves his throne;
And with nor pride nor pompous pageantry,
He goes — so every woman says, — alone.

For love no time has she, or inclination,
Yet must coquet it for the sake of fashion;
For this she listens to each fop that's near,
Th' embroidered colonel flatters with a sneer,
And the cropped ensign nuzzles in her ear.
But with most warmth her dress and airs inspire
Th' ambtious bosom of the landed Squire,
Who fain would quit plump Dolly's softer charms
For withered lean Right Honourable arms;
He bows with reverence at her sacred shrine,
And treats her as if sprung from race divine,

1.

 N OW sure, within this twelve month past,
I'have lov'd at least some twenty years or more:
 The account of Love runs much more fast
 Than that, with which our Life does score:
So though my Life be short , yet I may prove
 The great Methusalem of Love .

2.

 Not that Loves Hours or Minutes are
Shorter than those our Being 's measur'ed by:
 But they're more close compacted far,
 And so in lesser room do lye.
Thin airy things extend themselves in space,
 Things solid take up little place.

Now by my Love , the greatest Oath that is,
 None loves you half as well as I:
 I do not ask your Love for this;
But for Heave'ns sake believe me , or I dye
 No Servant e're but did deserve
His Master should believe that he does serve;
And I'll ask no more wages , though I starve .

'Tis no luxurious Diet this, and sure
 I shall not by't too Lusty prove;
 Yet shall it willingly endure,
If't can but keep together Life and Love .
 Being your Priso'ner and your slave ,
I do not Feasts and Banquets look to have,