L

I'll love good wine,
I'll love my book and Muse,
Nay, all the Nine;

I'll love my real friend,

I'll love my horse; and could I choose

One that would not my love abuse,

To her my heart should bend.

I will love those that laugh, and those that sing,

I'll love my country, prince and laws, and those that love my King.

ALEXANDER BROME.

ELL me not, sweet, I am unkind,
That from the nunnery

Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To war and arms I fly;

True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And, with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconstancy is such

As you too shall adore;

I could not love you, dear, so much,

Loved I not honour more.

Richard Lovelace.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWIXT KINGS AND SUBJECTS.

WIXT kings and subjects there's this mighty odds,

Subjects are taught by men; kings by the gods.

Robert Herrick.

IN THE WOODS.

HRICE happy he who by some shady grove,
Far from the clamorous world, doth live his own,
Though solitary, who is not alone,

But doth converse with that eternal love.
O how more sweet is bird's harmonious moan,
Or the hoarse soobings of the widow'd dove,
Than those smooth whisp'rings near a prince's throne,
Which good make doubtful, do the evil approve!
O how more sweet is zephyrs' wholesome breath,
And sighs embalm'd which new-born flow'rs unfold,
Than that applause vain honour doth bequeath!
How sweet are streams to poison drank in gold!
The world is full of horrors, troubles, slights:
Woods' harmless shades have only true delights.
William Drummond.

A DIRGE.

LORIES, pleasures, pomps, delights and ease,
Can but please

The outward senses, when the mind

Is or untroubled, or by peace refined.

Crowns may flourish and decay,
Beauties shine, but fade away.
Youth may revel, yet it must
Lie down in a bed of dust.
Earthly honours flow and waste,
Time alone doth change and last.
Sorrows mingled with contents, prepare
Rest for care;

Love only reigns in death; though art
Can find no comfort for a broken heart.

John Ford.