At course-a-park, without all But she would not, she doubt, He should have first been taken out 20 nice, was 50 She would not do't in sight; And then she looked as who should say, By all the maids i' th' town; Though lusty Roger there had I will do what I list to-day, been, Or little George upon the Green, Or Vincent of the Crown. But wot you what? the youth was going To make an end of all his wooing, The parson for him stayed; Yet by his leave, for all his haste, He did not so much wish all past, Perchance, as did the maid. 30 The maid-and thereby hangs a tale: For such a maid no Whitsun ale So round, so plump, so soft as she, And you shall do't at night. does speak Thou'dst swear her teeth her words did break, FROM The Last Remains, 1659 Among the highest and most refined wits of the nation, this gentle and princely poet took his generous rise from the court, where, having flourished with splendor and reputation, he lived only long enough to see the sunset of that majesty from whose auspicious beams he derived his luster, and with whose declining state his own loyal fortunes were obscured. But after the several changes of those times, being sequestered from the more serene contentments of his native country, he first took care to secure the dearest and choicest of his papers in the several cabinets of his noble and faithful friends; and among other testimonies of his worth, these elegant and florid pieces of his fancy were preserved in the custody of his truly honorable and virtuous sister, with whose free permission they were transcribed, and now published exactly according to the original. This might be sufficient to make you acknowledge that these are the real and genuine works of Sir John Suckling; but if you can yet doubt, let any judicious soul seriously consider the freedom of the fancy, richness of the conceit, proper expression, with that air and spirit diffused through every part, and he will find such a perfect resemblance with what hath been formerly known, that he cannot with modesty doubt them to be his. I could tell you further (for I myself am the best witness of it) what a thirst and general inquiry hath been after what I here present you, by all that have either seen or heard of them. And by that time you have read them, you will believe me, who have, now for many years, annually published the productions of the best wits of our own and foreign nations. V [Out upon it! I have loved] Out upon it! I have loved Time shall moult away his wings, In the whole wide world again Η. Μ. Had it any been but she, There had been at least ere this Love and debt alike troublesome This one request I make to him that sits the clouds above, Then for to dance, to drink, and sing, I should be very willing, 10 I should not owe one lass a kiss, nor ne'er a knave a shilling. May satisfy his appetite, and owe no man a crown; Song 20 When wanton blasts have Or hast viewed the peacock in his Hast thou marked the crocodile's Oh, so fickle, oh, so vain, oh, so weeping, ery? ! J RICHARD LOVELACE The Introduction and Notes are at page 1018 To Althea, from prison When Love with unconfined Hovers within my gates, If I have freedom in my love, 30 The Vintage to the Dungeon Sing us pent souls, sing cheerly! Cakles you in liberty, Mirees you in captivity: Would you double fetters add? Else why so sad? Stone walls do not a prison make, Ah, braid no more that shining Nor iron bars a cage; hair! Minds innocent and quiet take As my curious hand or eye, That for an hermitage; Hovering round thee, let it fly. |