LINES ON THE TOMBS IN WESTMINSTER. MORTALITY, behold and fear! What a change of flesh is here! Think how many royal bones Who now want strength to stir their hands; With the richest royal'st seed That the earth did e'er suck in, Since the first man died for sin: Here the bones of birth have cried, "Though gods they were, as men they died": Here are sands, ignoble things, Dropt from the ruined sides of kings: Here's a world of pomp and state, Buried in dust, once dead by fate. JOHN FLETCHER. OR, BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER. Dyce's is the standard modern edition of the works of Beaumont and Fletcher. Most of the lyrics occur in plays in which Beaumont doubtless had no share. SWEETEST MELANCHOLY. From the Nice Valour, in the folio of 1647 (acted 1613?). Compare Burton's verses introductory to his Anatomy of Melancholy, and Milton's Il Penseroso. HENCE, all you vain delights, As short as are the nights Wherein you spend your folly! But only melancholy; O sweetest melancholy! Welcome, folded arms and fixèd eyes, A look that's fastened to the ground, A midnight bell, a parting groan, These are the sounds we feed upon; Then stretch our bones in a still gloomy valley; LOVE'S EMBLEMS. From Valentinian, 1647 (acted 1616?). NOW the lusty spring is seen; Golden yellow, gaudy blue, And enticing men to pull, Woodbines of sweet honey full: Yet the lusty spring hath stayed; And inviting men to taste, Apples even ripe below, CARE-C Winding gently to the waist: INVOCATION TO SLEEP. From Valentinian. ARE-CHARMING Sleep, thou easer of all woes, On this afflicted prince; fall like a cloud Pass by his troubled senses; sing his pain Like hollow murmuring wind or silver rain; Into this prince gently, oh, gently slide, And kiss him into slumbers like a bride! SONG TO BACCHUS. From Valentinian. GOD Lyæus, ever young, Ever honoured, ever sung; DRINK TO-DAY. From the Bloody Brother, 1640 (acted 1616?). DRINK to-day, and drown all sorrow; You shall perhaps not do it to-morrow: Best, while you have it, use your breath; There is no drinking after death. Wine works the heart up, wakes the wit, It helps the headache, cough, and phthisic, Then let us swill, boys, for our health; Who drinks well, loves the commonwealth. And he that will to bed go sober Falls with the leaf still in October. BEAUTY CLEAR AND FAIR. From the Elder Brother, 1637 (acted 1625?). BEAUTY clear and fair, Where the air Rather like a perfume dwells; Where the violet and the rose Where to live near, And planted there, Is to live, and still live new; Where to gain a favour is More than light, perpetual bliss,- Dear, again back recall A stranger to himself and all; Both the wonder and the story Shall be yours, and eke the glory: I am your servant, and your thrall. THE CHARM. From the Little French Lawyer, 1647 (acted 1620?). THIS way, this way come, and hear, You that hold these pleasures dear; Fill your ears with our sweet sound, Whilst we melt the frozen ground. This way come; make haste, O fair! Let your clear eyes gild the air; Come, and bless us with your sight; This way, this way, seek delight! |