Richard Lovelace Poems

Sir, your sad absence I complain, as earth
Her long-hid spring, that gave her verdures birth,
Who now her cheerful aromatick head
Shrinks in her cold and dismal widow'd bed;
...

I.
Sing out, pent soules, sing cheerefully!
Care shackles you in liberty:
Mirth frees you in captivity.
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I.
How I grieve that I am well!
All my health was in my sicknes,
Go then, Destiny, and tell,
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A gentleman, to give us somewhat new,
Hath brought up OXFORD with him to show you;
Pray be not frighted--Tho the scaene and gown's
The Universities, the wit's the town's;
...

I.

When I by thy faire shape did sweare,
And mingled with each vowe a teare,
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Behold! three sister-wonders, in whom met,
Distinct and chast, the splendrous counterfeit
Of Juno, Venus and the warlike Maid,
Each in their three divinities array'd;
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A gentleman, to give us somewhat new,
Hath brought up OXFORD with him to show you;
Pray be not frighted--Tho the scaene and gown's
The Universities, the wit's the town's;
...

Hither with hallowed steps as is the ground,
That must enshrine this saint with lookes profound,
And sad aspects as the dark vails you weare,
Virgins opprest, draw gently, gently neare;
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I.
Ah me! the little tyrant theefe!
As once my heart was playing,
He snatcht it up and flew away,
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I.
I laugh and sing, but cannot tell
Whether the folly on't sounds well;
But then I groan,
...