Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/248

 JOHN REYNOLDS

Did not her ivory paps, fair Venus' bower,

With heavenly glee, A Juno's grace, conjure you to require

Her face to see^

Say Rose, say Daffodil, and Violet blue,

With Primrose fair, Since ye have seen my nymph's sweet dainty face

And gesture rare, Did not (bright Cowslip, blooming Pink) her view

(White Lily) shine (Ah, Gillyflower, ah Daisy') with a grace

Like stars divine^

SIR HENRY WOTTON

1 88 Elizabeth of Bohemia

YOU meaner beauties of the night, That poorly satisfy our eyes More by your number than your light, You common people of the skies; What are you when the moon .shall rise ?

You curious chanters of the wood,

That warble forth Dame Nature's lays,

Thinking your passions understood

By your weak accents; what's your praise When Philomel her voice shall raise?

You violets that first appear,

By your pure purple mantles known Like the proud virgins of the year, As if the spring were all your own; What are you when the rose is blown ?

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