The Home Book of Verse Volume Ii Part 1

The Home Book of Verse.

Vol. 2.

by Various.

Editor: Burton Egbert Stevenson.

PART II

POEMS OF LOVE

EROS

The sense of the world is short,-- Long and various the report,-- To love and be beloved; Men and G.o.ds have not outlearned it; And, how oft soe'er they've turned it, 'Tis not to be improved.

Ralph Waldo Emerson [1803-1882]

"NOW WHAT IS LOVE"

Now what is Love, I pray thee, tell?

It is that fountain and that well Where pleasure and repentance dwell; It is, perhaps, the sauncing bell That tolls all into heaven or h.e.l.l; And this is Love, as I hear tell.

Yet what is Love, I prithee, say?

It is a work on holiday, It is December matched with May, When l.u.s.ty bloods in fresh array Hear ten months after of the play; And this is Love, as I hear say.

Yet what is Love, good shepherd, sain?

It is a suns.h.i.+ne mixed with rain, It is a toothache or like pain, It is a game where none hath gain; The la.s.s saith no, yet would full fain; And this is Love, as I hear sain.

Yet, shepherd, what is Love, I pray?

It is a yes, it is a nay, A pretty kind of sporting fray, It is a thing will soon away.

Then, nymphs, take vantage while ye may; And this is Love, as I hear say.

Yet what is Love, good shepherd, show?

A thing that creeps, it cannot go, A prize that pa.s.seth to and fro, A thing for one, a thing for moe, And he that proves shall find it so; And shepherd, this is Love, I trow.

Walter Raleigh [1552?-1618]

WOOING SONG From "Christ's Victory"

Love is the blossom where there blows Every thing that lives or grows: Love doth make the Heavens to move, And the Sun doth burn in love: Love the strong and weak doth yoke, And makes the ivy climb the oak, Under whose shadows lions wild, Softened by love, grow tame and mild: Love no medicine can appease, He burns fishes in the seas: Not all the skill his wounds can stench, Not all the sea his fire can quench.

Love did make the b.l.o.o.d.y spear Once a leavy coat to wear, While in his leaves there shrouded lay Sweet birds, for love that sing and play And of all love's joyful flame I the bud and blossom am.

Only bend thy knee to me, Thy wooing shall thy winning be!

See, see the flowers that below Now as fresh as morning blow; And of all the virgin rose That as bright Aurora shows; How they all unleaved die, Losing their virginity!

Like unto a summer shade, But now born, and now they fade.

Every thing doth pa.s.s away; There is danger in delay: Come, come, gather then the rose, Gather it, or it you lose!

All the sand of Tagus' sh.o.r.e Into my bosom casts his ore: All the valleys' swimming corn To my house is yearly borne: Every grape of every vine Is gladly bruised to make me wine: While ten thousand kings, as proud, To carry up my train have bowed, And a world of ladies send me In my chambers to attend me: All the stars in Heaven that s.h.i.+ne, And ten thousand more, are mine: Only bend thy knee to me, Thy wooing shall thy winning be.

Giles Fletcher [1549?-1611]

ROSALIND'S MADRIGAL From "Rosalind"

Love in my bosom like a bee Doth suck his sweet: Now with his wings he plays with me, Now with his feet.

Within mine eyes he makes his nest, His bed amidst my tender breast; My kisses are his daily feast, And yet he robs me of my rest: Ah! wanton, will ye?

And if I sleeps, then percheth he With pretty flight, And makes his pillow of my knee The livelong night.

Strike I my lute, he tunes the string; He music plays if so I sing; He lends me every lovely thing, Yet cruel he my heart doth sting: Whist, wanton, still ye!

Else I with roses every day Will whip you hence, And bind you, when you long to play, For your offence.

I'll shut mine eyes to keep you in; I'll make you fast it for your sin; I'll count your power not worth a pin.

--Alas! what hereby shall I win If he gainsay me?

What if I beat the wanton boy With many a rod?

He will repay me with annoy, Because a G.o.d.

Then sit thou safely on my knee; Then let thy bower my bosom be; Lurk in mine eyes, I like of thee; O Cupid, so thou pity me, Spare not, but play thee!

Thomas Lodge [1558?-1625]

SONG From "Hymen's Triumph"

Love is a sickness full of woes, All remedies refusing; A plant that with most cutting grows, Most barren with best using.

Why so?

More we enjoy it, more it dies; If not enjoyed, it sighing cries-- Heigh ho!

Love is a torment of the mind, A tempest everlasting; And Jove hath made it of a kind Not well, nor full nor fasting.

Why so?

More we enjoy it, more it dies; If not enjoyed, it sighing cries-- Heigh ho!

Samuel Daniel [1562-1619]

LOVE'S PERJURIES From "Love's Labor's Lost"

On a day, alack the day!