Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/380

 He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, That dares not put it to the touch, To gain or lose it all.

And in the empire of thine heart, Where I should solely be, If others do pretend a part Or dare to vie with me, Or if Committees thou erect,  And go on such a score, I'll laugh and sing at thy neglect,   And never love thee more. But if thou wilt prove faithful then,  And constant of thy word, I'll make thee glorious by my pen   And famous by my sword; I'll serve thee in such noble ways   Was never heard before; I'll crown and deck thee all with bays,   And love thee more and more. THOMAS JORDAN 1612?-1685   335. Coronemus nos Rosis antequam marcescant

Let us drink and be merry, dance, joke, and rejoice, With claret and sherry, theorbo and voice! The changeable world to our joy is unjust, All treasure's uncertain, Then down with your dust! In frolics dispose your pounds, shillings, and pence, For we shall be nothing a hundred years hence.