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 18 HERRICK

Our life is short, and our days run

As fast away as does the sun. And, as a vapour or a drop of rain, Once lost can ne'er be found again,

So when or you or I are made

A fable, song, or fleeting shade,

All love, all liking, all delight,

Lies drowned with us in endless night. Then, while time serves, and we are but decaying, Come, my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying.

VIII

TO ANTHEA

WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANYTHING

BID me to live, and I will live

Thy Protestant to be; Or bid me love and I will give

A loving heart to thee.

A heart as soft, a heart as kind,

A heart as sound and free, As in the whole world thou canst find,

That heart I'll give to thee.

Bid that heart stay, and it will stay

To honour thy decree; Or bid it languish quite away,

And 't shall do so for thee.

Bid me to weep, and I will weep

While I have eyes to see; And, having none, yet I will keep

A heart to weep for thee.

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