Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/199

 MICHAEL DRAYTON

Show me no more those snowy breasts

With azure rivercts branched, Where, whilst mine eye with plenty feasts,

Yet is my thirst not stanched; O Tantalus, thy pains ne'er tell!

By me thou art prevented 'Tis nothing to be plagued in Hell,

But thus in Heaven tormented. Clip me no more in those dear arms,

Nor thy life's comfort call me, O these are but too powerful charms, And do but more enthral me' But see how patient I am grown

In all this coil about thee. Come, nice thing, let my heart alone, I cannot live without thee'

727 The Parting

SINCE there J s no help, come let us kiss and part Nay, I have done, you get no more of me,

And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart,

That thus so cleanly I myself can free.

Shake hands for ever, cancel all our vows,

And when we meet at any time again,

Be it not seen in either of our brows

That we one jot of former love retain.

Now at the last gasp of Love's latest breath,

When, his pulbe failing, Passion speechless lies,

When Faith is kneeling by his bed of death,

And Innocence is closing up his eyes,

Now if thou wouldst, when all have given him over, From death to life thou might'st him yet recover.

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