For sure they did not seem To be begot of any earthly seed, But rather angels, or of angels' breed; Yet were they bred of summer's heat, they say, So fresh they seemed as day, Even as their bridal day, which was not long : Then forth they all out of their baskets drew That like old Peneus' waters they did seem, Two of those Nymphs, meanwhile, two garlands bound Their snowy foreheads therewithal they crowned, Prepared against that day, Against their bridal day, which was not long (Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song !):— 'Ye gentle birds, the world's fair ornament, And let fair Venus, that is queen of love, Let endless peace your steadfast hearts accord, Which may your foes confound, And make your joys redound Upon your bridal day, which is not long : Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song.' So ended she; and all the rest around To her redoubled that her undersong, Which said, their bridal day should not be long : So forth those joyous birds did pass along And all the fowl which in his flood did dwell And their best service lend Against their wedding day, which was not long : At length they all to merry London came, There when they came, whereas those bricky towers Next whereunto there stands a stately place, Of that great lord, which therein wont to dwell; Old woes, but joys, to tell Against the bridal day, which is not long : Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. Yet therein now doth lodge a noble peer, Great England's glory and the world's wide wonder, Whose dreadful name late through all Spain did thunder, And Hercules' two pillars standing near Did make to quake and fear. Fair branch of honour, flower of chivalry, That fillest England with thy triumph's fame, Joy have thou of thy noble victory, And endless happiness of thine own name That promiseth the same! That, through thy prowess and victorious arms, Through all the world, filled with thy wide alarms, To ages following, Upon the bridal day, which is not long : Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. From those high towers this noble lord issúing, Above the rest were goodly to be seen Fit for so goodly stature That like the twins of Jove they seemed in sight, Received those two fair brides, their love's delight; Each one did make his bride Against their bridal day, which is not long : Edmund Spenser. FAIN 78 WOULD I, BUT I DARE NOT FAIN would I, but I dare not; I dare, and yet I may not ; not. I spy, whenas I speak not; for oft I speak and speed not; But of my wounds you reck not, because you see they bleed not; Yet bleed they where you see not, but you the pain endure not; Of noble mind they be not, that ever kill and cure not. I see, whenas I view not; I wish, although I crave not; Yours am I, though I seem not, and will be, though I show not; Mine outward deeds then deem not, when mine intent you know not; But if my serving prove not most sure, although I sue not, 79 THE SILENT LOVER Passions are likened best to floods and streams: The bottom is but shallow whence they come. WRONG not, sweet empress of my heart, With thinking that he feels no smart, Since, if my plaints serve not to approve It comes not from defect of love, For, knowing that I sue to serve I rather choose to want relief Thus those desires that aim too high When reason cannot make them die, Yet, when discretion doth bereave Silence in love bewrays more woe Then wrong not, dearest to my heart, Walter Raleigh. 80 TO COLIN CLOUT BEAUTY sat bathing by a spring, Where fairest shades did hide her. But better memory said, Fie, So vain desire was chidden- Into a slumber then I fell, When fond imagination Seemed to see but could not tell Her feature or her fashion. But, even as babes in dreams do smile And sometimes fall a weeping, So I awaked, as wise this while, Anthony Munday. |