XIV IT WAS A LOVER AND HIS LASS It was a lover and his lass, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, That o'er the green corn-field did pass, In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; Sweet lovers love the spring. Between the acres of the rye, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, These pretty country folks would lie, In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; Sweet lovers love the spring. This carol they began that hour, With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, How that life was but a flower In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; Sweet lovers love the spring. And, therefore, take the present time With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, For love is crowned with the prime In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; Sweet lovers love the spring. Shakespeare. LOSS IN DELAY XV TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may, And this same flower that smiles to-day The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, That age is best which is the first, When youth and blood are warmer ; Then be not coy, but use your time, Herrick. XVI LOSS IN DELAY SHUN delays, they breed remorse; 15 Hoist up sail while gale doth last, Let thy fore-wit guide thy thought. Time wears all his locks before Works adjourn'd have many stays, R. Southwell. XVII CARPE DIEM LOVE in thy youth, fair Maid, be wise; Thine eyes like twin stars shining; Then winter comes with all his fears, And all thy sweets shall borrow; Too late then wilt thou shower thy tears, And I too late shall sorrow. Anon. TO BE MERRY XVIII CRABBED AGE AND YOUTH CRABBED Age and Youth Youth like summer morn, Age's breath is short; Youth is nimble, Age is lame; Age is weak and cold; Youth is wild, and Age is tame. Age, I do abhor thee; Youth, I do adore thee; O, my Love, my Love is young! O, sweet shepherd, hie thee! For methinks thou stay'st too long. Shakespeare. XIX TO BE MERRY LET's now take our time While we're in our prime, And old, old age, is afar off: B 17 For the evil, evil days Will come on apace, Before we can be aware of. XX Herrick. VIVAMUS COME, my Celia, let us prove, Spend not then his gifts in vain : Why should we defer our joys? Or his easier eyes beguile, 'Tis no sin Love's fruit to steal, But the sweet theft to reveal : To be taken, to be seen, These have crimes accounted been. B. Jonson. |