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

15

XV

TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH

OF TIME
GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,

Old Time is still a-flying :
And this same flower that smiles to-day

To-morrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,

The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,

And nearer he's to setting.
That age is best which is the first,

When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst

Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,

And while ye may, go marry :
For having lost but once your prime
You may for ever tarry.

Herrick.

XVI

LOSS IN DELAY

Shun delays, they breed remorse ;
Take thy time while time is lent thee;

Creeping snails have weakest force,
Fly their fault, lest thou repent thee.

Good is best when soonest wrought,
Linger'd labours come to nought.

Hoist up sail while gale doth last,
Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure ;

Seek not time when time is past,
Sober speed is wisdom's leisure.

After-wits are dearly bought,

Let thy fore-wit guide thy thought.
Time wears all his locks before
Take thy hold upon his forehead;

When he flies he turns no more,
And behind his scalp is naked.

Works adjourn'd have many stays,
Long demurs breed new delays.

R. Southwell.

XVII

CARPE DIEM

Love in thy youth, fair Maid, be wise ;

Old Time will make thee colder, And though each morning new arise

Yet we each day grow older. Thou as heaven art fair and young, Thine

eyes

like twin stars shining; But ere another day be sprung

All these will be declining.
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

17

XVIII

CRABBED AGE AND YOUTH

CRABBED Age and Youth
Cannot live together:
Youth is full of pleasance,
Age is full of care;
Youth like summer morn,
Age like winter weather;
Youth like summer brave,
Age like winter bare.
Youth is full of sport,
Age's breath is short ;
Youth is nimble, Age is lame;
Youth is hot and bold,
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!
Age, I do defy thee:
0, 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

For the evil, evil days

Will come on apace,
Before we can be aware of.

Herrick.

XX

VIVAMUS

Come, my Celia, let us prove,
While wecan, the sports of Love;
Time will not be ours for ever,
He at length our good will sever.

Spend not then his gifts in vain :
Suns that set may rise again ;
But if once we lose this light,
'Tis with us perpetual night.

Why should we defer our joys?
Fame and rumour are but toys.
Cannot we delude the eyes
Of a few poor household spies?

Or his easier eyes beguile,
So removed by our wile ?
'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.