第 16 节
作者:不言败      更新:2021-02-20 05:18      字数:9321
  ring Part of the cream from that religious spring; With which; Perilla; wash my hands and feet; That done; then wind me in that very sheet Which wrapt thy smooth limbs; when thou didst implore The Gods' protection; but the night before; Follow me weeping to my turf; and there Let fall a primrose; and with it a tear: Then lastly; let some weekly strewings be Devoted to the memory of me; Then shall my ghost not walk about; but keep Still in the cool and silent shades of sleep。
  *139*
  A MEDITATION FOR HIS MISTRESS
  You are a Tulip seen to…day; But; Dearest; of so short a stay; That where you grew; scarce man can say。
  You are a lovely July…flower; Yet one rude wind; or ruffling shower; Will force you hence; and in an hour。
  You are a sparkling Rose i'th' bud; Yet lost; ere that chaste flesh and blood Can show where you or grew or stood。
  You are a full…spread fair…set Vine; And can with tendrils love entwine; Yet dried; ere you distil your wine。
  You are like Balm; enclosed well In amber; or some crystal shell; Yet lost ere you transfuse your smell。
  You are a dainty Violet; Yet wither'd; ere you can be set Within the virgins coronet。
  You are the Queen all flowers among; But die you must; fair maid; ere long; As he; the maker of this song。
  *140*
  TO THE VIRGINS; TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME
  Gather ye rose…buds 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。
  ** EPIGRAMS **
  *141*
  POSTING TO PRINTING
  Let others to the printing…press run fast; Since after death comes glory; I'll not haste。
  *142*
  HIS LOSS
  All has been plunder'd from me but my wit: Fortune herself can lay no claim to it。
  *143*
  THINGS MORTAL STILL MUTABLE
  Things are uncertain; and the more we get; The more on icy pavements we are set。
  *144*
  NO MAN WITHOUT MONEY
  No man such rare parts hath; that he can swim; If favour or occasion help not him。
  *145*
  THE PRESENT TIME BEST PLEASETH
  Praise; they that will; times past: I joy to see Myself now live; this age best pleaseth me!
  *146*
  WANT
  Want is a softer wax; that takes thereon; This; that; and every base impression;
  *147*
  SATISFACTION FOR SUFFERINGS
  For all our works a recompence is sure; 'Tis sweet to think on what was hard t'endure。
  *148*
  WRITING
  When words we want; Love teacheth to indite; And what we blush to speak; she bids us write。
  *149*
  THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTY
  Beauty no other thing is; than a beam Flash'd out between the middle and extreme。
  *150*
  A MEAN IN OUR MEANS
  Though frankincense the deities require; We must not give all to the hallow'd fire。 Such be our gifts; and such be our expense; As for ourselves to leave some frankincense。
  *151*
  MONEY MAKES THE MIRTH
  When all birds else do of their music fail; Money's the still…sweet…singing nightingale!
  *152*
  TEARS AND LAUGHTER
  Knew'st thou one month would take thy life away; Thou'dst weep; but laugh; should it not last a day。
  *153*
  UPON TEARS
  Tears; though they're here below the sinner's brine; Above; they are the Angels' spiced wine。
  *154*
  ON LOVE
  Love's of itself too sweet; the best of all Is; when love's honey has a dash of gall。
  *155*
  PEACE NOT PERMANENT
  Great cities seldom rest; if there be none T' invade from far; they'll find worse foes at home。
  *156*
  PARDONS
  Those ends in war the best contentment bring; Whose peace is made up with a pardoning。
  *157*
  TRUTH AND ERROR
  Twixt truth and error; there's this difference known Error is fruitful; truth is only one。
  *158*
  WlT PUNISHED PROSPERS MOST
  Dread not the shackles; on with thine intent; Good wits get more fame by their punishment。
  *159*
  BURIAL
  Man may want land to live in; but for all Nature finds out some place for burial。
  *160*
  NO PAINS; NO GAINS
  If little labour; little are our gains; Man's fortunes are according to his pains。
  *161*
  TO YOUTH
  Drink wine; and live here blitheful while ye may; The morrow's life too late is; Live to…day。
  *162*
  TO ENJOY THE TIME
  While fates permit us; let's be merry; Pass all we must the fatal ferry; And this our life; too; whirls away; With the rotation of the day。
  *163*
  FELICITY QUICK OF FLIGHT
  Every time seems short to be That's measured by felicity; But one half…hour that's made up here With grief; seems longer than a year。
  *164*
  MIRTH
  True mirth resides not in the smiling skin; The sweetest solace is to act no sin。
  *165*
  THE HEART
  In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part Without the sweet concurrence of the heart。
  *166*
  LOVE; WHAT IT IS
  Love is a circle; that doth restless move In the same sweet eternity of Love。
  *167*
  DREAMS
  Here we are all; by day; by night we're hurl'd By dreams; each one into a several world。
  *168*
  AMBITION
  In man; ambition is the common'st thing; Each one by nature loves to be a king。
  *169*
  SAFETY ON THE SHORE
  What though the sea be calm?  Trust to the shore; Ships have been drown'd; where late they danced before。
  *170*
  UPON A PAINTED GENTLEWOMAN
  Men say you're fair; and fair ye are; 'tis true; But; hark!  we praise the painter now; not you。
  *171*
  UPON WRINKLES
  Wrinkles no more are; or no less; Than beauty turn'd to sourness。
  *172*
  CASUALTIES
  Good things; that come of course; far less do please Than those which come by sweet contingencies。
  *173*
  TO LIVE FREELY
  Let's live in haste; use pleasures while we may; Could life return; 'twould never lose a day。
  *174*
  NOTHING FREE…COST
  Nothing comes free…cost here; Jove will not let His gifts go from him; if not bought with sweat。
  *175*
  MAN'S DYING…PLACE UNCERTAIN
  Man knows where first he ships himself; but he Never can tell where shall his landing be。
  *176*
  LOSS FROM THE LEAST
  Great men by small means oft are overthrown; He's lord of thy life; who contemns his own。
  *177*
  POVERTY AND RICHES
  Who with a little cannot be content; Endures an everlasting punishment。
  *178*
  UPON MAN
  Man is composed here of a twofold part; The first of nature; and the next of art; Art presupposes nature; nature; she Prepares the way for man's docility。
  *179*
  PURPOSES
  No wrath of men; or rage of seas; Can shake a just man's purposes; No threats of tyrants; or the grim Visage of them can alter him; But what he doth at first intend; That he holds firmly to the end。
  *180*
  FOUR THINGS MAKE US HAPPY HERE
  Health is the first good lent to men; A gentle disposition then: Next; to be rich by no by…ways; Lastly; with friends t' enjoy our days。
  *181*
  THE WATCH
  Man is a watch; wound up at first; but never Wound up again; Once down; he's down for ever。 The watch once down; all motions then do cease; The man's pulse stopt; all passions sleep in peace。
  *182*
  UPON THE DETRACTER
  I ask'd thee oft what poets thou hast read; And lik'st the best?  Still thou repli'st; The dead。 I shall; ere long; with green turfs cover'd be; Then sure thou'lt like; or thou wilt envy; me。
  *183*
  ON HlMSELF
  Live by thy Muse thou shalt; when others die; Leaving no fame to long posterity; When monarchies trans…shifted are; and gone; Here shall endure thy vast dominion。
  ** NATURE AND LIFE **
  *184*
  I CALL AND I CALL
  I call; I call:  who do ye call? The maids to catch this cowslip ball! But since these cowslips fading be; Troth; leave the flowers; and maids; take me! Yet; if that neither you will do; Speak but the word; and I'll take you;
  *185*
  THE SUCCESSION OF THE FOUR SWEET MONTHS
  First; April; she with mellow showers Opens the way for early flowers; Then after her comes smiling May; In a more rich and sweet array; Next enters June; and brings us more Gems than those two that went before; Then; lastly; July comes; and she More wealth brings in than all those three。
  *186*
  TO BLOSSOMS
  Fair pledges of a fruitful tree; Why do ye fall so fast? Your date is not so past; But you may stay yet here a…while; To blush and gently smile; And go at last。
  What; were ye born to be An hour or half's delight; And so to bid good…night? 'Twas pity Nature brought ye forth; Merely to show your worth; And lose you quite。
  But you are lovely leaves; where we May read how soon things have Their end; though ne'er so brave: And after they have shown their pride; Like you; a…while;they glide Into the grave。
  *187*
  THE SHOWER OF BLOSSOMS
  Love in a shower of blossoms came Down; and half drown'd me with the same; The blooms that fell were white and red; But with such sweets commingled; As whether (this) I cannot tell; My sight was pleased more; or my smell; But true it was; as I roll'd there; Without a thought of hurt or fear;