"ONCE DID MY THOUGHTS BOTH EBB AND FLOW" ONCE did my thoughts both ebb and flow, Once did I hope, straight fear again,— And then I was in love. Once did I waking spend the night, Once, by my carving true love's knot, 1 That wounds and tears were both our lot, And then I was in love. Once did I breathe another's breath And in my mistress move, And then I was in love. Once wore I bracelets made of hair, And collars did approve, Once wore my clothes made out of wax, And then I was in love. Once did I sonnet to my saint, My soul in numbers move, Once did I tell a thousand lies, And then I was in love. Once in my ear did dangling hang Once, in a word, I was a fool,— And then I was in love. Unknown The Relapse 801 "ONCE DID I LOVE AND YET I LIVE" ONCE did I love and yet I live, Though love and truth be now forgotten; Then did I joy, now do I grieve That holy vows must now be broken. Hers be the blame that caused it so, Love her that list, I am content For that chameleon-like she changeth, Let him not vaunt that gains my loss, For when that he and time hath proved her, She may bring him to Weeping-Cross: I say no more, because I loved her. Unknown THE RELAPSE O TURN away those cruel eyes, Or death, in such a bright disguise, Punish their blind and impious pride, It was my fall that deified Thy name, and sealed thy story. Yet no new sufferings can prepare Lovers will doubt thou canst entice And if thou burn one victim twice, Thomas Stanley [1625-1678} PHYLLIS PHYLLIS is my only joy, Faithless as the winds or seas, LOVE in fantastic triumph sate Whilst bleeding hearts around him flowed, For whom fresh pains he did create And strange tyrannic power he showed: But 'twas from mine he took desires Les Amours From me he took his sighs and tears, But my poor heart alone is harmed, 803 Aphra Behn [1640-1689] LES AMOURS SHE that I pursue, still flies me; She that can save me, must not do it; This is thy work, imperious Child, Nor seest how thine arrows rove. But, if irrevocable are Those keen shafts that wound us so, Let me prevail with thee thus far, That thou once more take thy bow; Wound her hard heart, and by my troth, I'll be content to take them both. Charles Cotton [1630-1687] RIVALS Or all the torments, all the cares, Sylvia, for all the pangs you see But not another's hope. William Walsh [1663-1708] “I LATELY VOWED, BUT 'TWAS IN HASTE” I LATELY Vowed, but 'twas in haste, That I no more would court The joys which seem when they are past As dull as they are short. I oft to hate my mistress swear, I make my oaths when she's severe, But break them when she's kind. John Oldmixon [1673-1742] THE TOUCH-STONE A FOOL and knave with different views For Julia's hand apply; The knave to mend his fortune sues, The fool to please his eye. |