Page:The poems of Edmund Clarence Stedman, 1908.djvu/409

MADRIGAL Have we not had our share

Of pleasure too?

No Past the glad heart cowers,

No memories dark;

Only the sunny hours

The dial mark.

MADRIGAL

DORUS TO LYCORIS, WHO REPROVED HIM FOR INCONSTANCY

should I constant be?

The bird in yonder tree,

This leafy summer,

Hath not his last year's mate,

Nor dreads to venture fate

With a new-comer.

Why should I fear to sip

The sweets of each red lip?

In every bower

The roving bee may taste

(Lest aught should run to waste)

Each fresh-blown flower.

The trickling rain doth fall

Upon us one and all;

The south-wind kisses

The saucy milkmaid's cheek,

The nun's, demure and meek,

Nor any misses.

Then ask no more of me

That I should constant be

Nor eke desire it;

Take not such idle pains 379