And patiently await the doubtful doom

Which I expect from thee should shortly come;
Much longing that I one way may be sped,
And not still linger 'twixt alive and dead.
For I can neither live yet as I should,
Because I least enjoy of that I would;

Nor quiet die, because, indeed, I first

Would see some better days, or know the worst. 1240
Then hasten, dear; if to my end it be,

It shall be welcome, 'cause it comes from thee;
If to renew my comfort ought be sent,

Let me not lose a minute of content.
The precious time is short and will away,
Let us enjoy each other while we may.

Cares thrive, age creepeth on, men are but shades,
Joys lessen, youth decays, and beauty fades ;
New turns come on, the old returneth never,

If we let our go past, 'tis past for ever.

1250

THE AUTHOR'S RESOLUTION IN A SONNET. (1615 edition.)

SHALL I wasting in despair

Die because a woman's fair?

Or make pale my cheeks with care

'Cause another's rosy are?

Be she fairer than the day,
Or the flowery meads in May,
If she think not well of me,
What care I how fair she be?

Shall my seely heart be pined
'Cause I see a woman kind?
Or a well-disposed nature
Joined with a lovely feature?
Be she meeker, kinder than
Turtle-dove or pelican,

If she be not so to me

What care I how kind she be?

Shall a woman's virtues move

Me to perish for her love?

Variations in 1619 and 1620 editions:

'Or my cheeks make pale...

meads of May.'

1. 3.

1. 6.

1. 7.

'If she be not so to me.'

1. 9.

1. 10.

1. 12.

1. 13.

... my foolish heart.

. a woman's kind.'

a comely feature.'

'Be she kind or meeker than.

ll. 17, 18. '... make,... sake.'

I can scorn and let her go,

For if she be not for me
What care I for whom she be?

1. 19. Or her merit's value known.'

1. 20.

1. 22.

1. 23.

1. 26.

1. 27, ff.

1. 35.

.my own."

'That may merit...'

'If she seem not so to me.'

'Should I play...

He that bears a noble mind,
If not outward help he find,

Think, what with them he would do
That without them dares to woo.'
then believe.'

1. 38. I can slight, and bid her go.'
'If she be not fit for me

11. 39, 40.

What care I how others be?'

40

INTER EQUITAND: PALINOD:

(1615, '17, '19, '20 editions.)

My Genius, say what thoughts these pantings move? -Thy thoughts of Love.

What flames are these that set my heart on fire?

-Flames of Desire.

What are the means that these two underprop? 5 -Thy earnest Hope.

Then yet I'm happy in my sweet friend's choice,

For they in depth of passion may rejoice

Whose thoughts and flames and means have such blest

scope

They may at once both Love, Desire, and Hope. 10

But tell, what fruit at last my love shall gain?

-Hidden Disdain.

What will that hope prove, which yet faith keeps fair?

-Hopeless Despair.

What end will run my passions out of breath?

-Untimely Death.

Oh me! that passion, joined with faith and love,
Should with my fortunes so ungracious prove
That she'll no fruit, nor hope, nor end bequeath,
But cruellest Disdain, Despair, and Death!

To what new study shall I now apply?

1. 21.

-Study to Die.

So 1615. 1617, 19, 20, 'Then what...

15

20

How might I end my care, and die content?

-Care to Repent.

And what good thoughts may make my end more

holy?

-Think on thy Folly.

Well, so I will, and since my fate may give
Nothing but discontents whilst here I live,
My studies, cares, and thoughts I'll all apply
To weigh my Folly well, Repent, and Die.

25

30

SONNET.

HENCE away, thou Siren, leave me ;
Pish, unclasp your wanton arms;
Sugared words can ne'er deceive me
Though thou prove a thousand charms.
Fie, fie, forbear; no common snare
Can ever my affection chain;
Thy sugared baits of love-deceits
Are all bestowed on me in vain.

I have elsewhere vowed a duty:
Turn away thy tempting eye;
Show not me thy painted beauty;
These impostures I defy.

My spirit loathes where gaudy clothes

And feigned oaths may love obtain;

5

I love her so whose look swears "no," 15

That all thy labour will be vain.