Let others, nobler, seek to gain
In knowledge, happy fate:
And others busy them in vain
To study ways of State.

But I, resolvèd from within,
Confirmed from without,

In privacy intend to spin

My future minutes out!

And from this Hermitage of mine,
I banish all wild toys!
And nothing, that is not divine,
Shall dare to tempt my joys!

There are, below, but two things good;
Friendship and Honesty!

And only those, of all, I would
Ask for felicity.

In this retired and humble seat,

Free from both war and strife, I am not forced to make retreat; But choose to spend my life!

CHLORIS,

ON THE QUEEN'S LANDING AT BRIDLINGTON QUAY, 22ND FEBRUARY, 1643.

SEE! see! my CHLORIS comes in yonder bark! Blow gently, winds! For if ye sink that ark, You'll drown the world with tears; and, at one breath, Give to us all a universal death!

Hark! hark! how ARION, on a dolphin, plays
To my sweet Shepherdess his Roundelays!
See! how the Sirens flock to wait upon her,
As Queen of Love; and they, her Maids of Honour!

Behold, great NEPTUNE 's risen from the deep,
With all his Tritons; and begins to sweep
The rugged waves into a smoother form,
Not leaving one small wrinkle of a storm.

Mark! how the winds stand still; and on her gaze!
See! how her beauty doth the fish amaze!
The whales have begged this boon of wind and weather!
That, on their backs, they may convey her hither.

And see! she lands just like the rising sun!
That leaves the briny lake, when night is done.
Fly! fly! AMINTOR! to thy envied bliss;

And let not th' earth rob thee of her greeting kiss!

A LADY TO A YOUNG COURTIER.

LOVE thee! good sooth, not I!
I've somewhat else to do!
Alas, you must go learn to talk,
Before you learn to woo!
Nay, fie! stand off! go to!

Because you're in the fashion,
And newly come to Court;

D' ye think, your clothes are Orators
T' invite us to the sport!

Ha! Ha! Who will not jeer thee for 't!

Ne'er look so sweetly, Youth!

Nor fiddle with your band!

We know, you trim your borrowed curls
To shew your pretty hand!

But 'tis too young, for to command!

Go, practise how to jeer!

And think each word a jest!

That's the Court wit! Alas, you're out!
To think, when finely drest,

You please me, or the Ladies, best! . .

Mark, how Sir WHACHAM fools!

I! [Aye!] marry, there's a Wit! Who cares not what he says, or swears; So Ladies laugh at it!

Who can deny such blades a bit!

A DOUBT RESOLVED.

FAIN would I love; but that I fear
I quickly should the willow wear!
Fain would I marry; but men say,
'When Love is tied; he will away!'

Then tell me, Love! what shall I do
To cure these fears, whene'er I woo!

The Fair One, she is mark to all!
The Brown One, each doth lovely call!
The Black's a pearl in Fair Men's eyes!
The rest will stoop to any prize!

Then tell me, Love! what shall I do
To cure these fears, whene'er I woo!

Young Lover! know, it is not I
That wound with fear, or jealousy!
Nor do men ever feel those smarts
Until they have confined their hearts!

Then, if you'll cure your fears, you shall
Love neither Fair, Black, Brown: but all!

HIS RIVAL'S DANGER.

TAKE heed, bold Lover! Do not look
Upon my CHLORIS' Eyes!
For every dart is tipped with death,
That from her glances flies.

Nor do not think to save thyself
From danger, or from harms,

By any virtue in her smiles,

Or other secret charms!

LOVE hath commanded her to cure
No other heart but mine!
There is no hope, that she can be
So merciful to thine!

For though her Eyes be murderers :

.

She hath reserved for me

A balsam, in her coral Lips,

That gives Eternity!