To the Right Honorable, William, Earle of Morton

With amor first my riddle plaine to make,
I meane interpreting some paines to take,
Let the beginning put be to the end,
Looke on it then, you'le find it no mans friend;
Invert the letters, reade it backewards, then
O famous City it will be agen,
Make it two sillables, and then you'le see

Most rightly shewed Sir, what now you be,
Or , it is gold and am doth you denote,
Rightly will time you for the true gold coate:
Time well will note delaies of other men,
On what your love is set, time shewes againe,

Those Far-Off Fields

Those far-off fields, how fair they seem,
As soft through mists of years they gleam!
We never now around us see
Such meads as those of olden be;
We never find a lake or stream
One half so lovely as we deem
Those which we only view in dream,
Watering the fields of memory—
Those far-off fields!

And we were happy then! The theme
Of our existence, love supreme:
And looking back on Fate's decree—
On all that happened you and me—
We sigh—for dear our souls esteem
Those far-off fields!

O sea-gulls that are crying

O sea-gulls that are crying
On Sao river
How is it that,
Loving the river-beach,
You go further up the river?

(Answer)
To men indeed
We would say in general
" Our so much
Beloved river-beach
Do not snare with nets!"
(Then we will stay there).

Too Late

Too late, alas! ... I came to find
the lovely spring had fled
Yet must I not regret the days
of youth that now are dead;
For though the rosy buds of spring
the cruel winds have laid,
Behold the clustering fruit that hangs
beneath the leafy shade.

Song: A Lovely Girl Combing Her Hair

Xi Shi dreaming at dawn,
In the cool of silken curtains,
Scented coils of her falling chignon,
Half aloes and sandalwood.

The turning windlass of the well,
Creaking like singing jade,
Wakes with a start this lotus-blossom,
That has newly slept its fill.

Twin simurghs open her mirror,
An autumn pool of light.
She loosens her tresses before the mirror,
Stands by her ivory bed.

A single skein of perfumed silk,
Clouds cast on the floor,
Noiseless, the jade comb lights upon

She Just Keeps House for Me

She is so winsome and so wise
She sways us at her will,
And oft the question will arise
What mission does she fill?
And so I say, with pride untold
And love beyond degree,
This woman with the heart of gold,
She just keeps house for me.

A full content dwells in her face,
She's quite in love with life,
And for a title wears with grace
The sweet old-fashioned — Wife. —

What though I toil from morn till night,
What though I weary grow,
A spring of love and dear delight

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