I. 19. Lansd. MS., 777, our lives

1. 26. Lansd. MS., 777 omits the second refrain
SONGS AND SONNETS. 77
But, from late fair, His highness sitting in a golden chair
Is not less cared for after three days By children, than the thing which lovers so Blindly admire, and with such worship woo ;
Being had, enjoying it decays ; And thence, What before pleased them all, takes but one sense,
And that so lamely, as it leaves behind A kind of sorrowing dullness to the mind. 20
Ah, cannot we, As well a»s cocks and lions, jocund be
After such pleasures, unless wise Nature decreed — since each such act, they say, Diminisheth the length of life a day —
This ; as she would man should despise The sport. Because that other curse of being short,
And only for a minute made to be Eager, desires to raise posterity. jO
Since so, my mind Shall not desire what no man else can find ;
I'll no more dote and run To pursue things which had endamaged me ; And when I come where moving beauties be,
As men do when the summer's sun Grows great, Though I admire their greatness, shun their heat.
Each place can afford shadows ; if all fail, 'Tis but applying worm-seed to the tail. 40
78 DONNE'S POEMS,
A LECTURE UPON THE SHADOW.
Stand still, and I will read to thee A lecture, Love, in Love's philosophy.
These three hours that we have spent,
Walking here, two shadows went Along with us, which we ourselves produced. But, now the sun is just above our head,
We do those shadows tread,
And to brave clearness all things are reduced. So whilst our infant loves did grow, Disguises did, and shadows, flow, lo
From us and our cares ; but now 'tis not so.
That love has not attain'd the highest degree, Which is still diligent lest others see.
Except our loves at this noon stay,
We shall new shadows make the other way.
As the first were made to blind
Others, these which come behind Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes. If our loves faint, and westwardly decline,
To me thou, falsely, thine 20
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise. The morning shadows wear away. But these grow longer all the day ; But O ! love's day is short, if love decay.
Love is a growing, or full constant light. And his short minute, after noon, is night.
1, 9. 1669, love
SONGS AND SONNETS. 79
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN SIR HENRY WOTTON AND
MR. DONNE.
[w.]
If her disdain least change in you can move,
You do not love, For when that hope gives fuel to the fire, You sell desire. Love is not love, but given free ; And so is mine ; so should yours be.
[D.]
Her heart, that weeps to hear of others' moan,
To mine is stone. Her eyes, that weep a stranger's eyes to see,
Joy to wound me. lO
Yet I so well affect each part, As — caused by them — I love my smart.
[w.]
Say her disdainings justly must be graced
With name of chaste ; And that she frowns lest longing should exceed, And raging breed ; So her disdains can ne'er offend, Unless self-love take private end.
1. 3. So 1669 ; 1635, ihe hope
8o DONNE'S POEMS.
[D.]
'Tislove breeds love in me, and cold disdain
Kills that again, 20
As water causetli fire to fret and fume. Till all consume. Who can of love more rich gift make, Than to Love's self for love's own sake ?
I'll never dig in quarry of an heart
To have no part, Nor roast in fiery eyes, which always are Canicular. Who this way would a lover prove, May show his patience, not his love. 30
A frown may be sometimes for physic good,
But not for food ; And for that raging humour there is sure A gentler cure. Why bar you love of private end, Which never should to public tend ?
THE TOKEN.
Send me some tokens, that my hope may live Or that my easeless thoughts may sleep and rest ;
Send me some honey, to make sweet my hive, That in my passions I may hope the best.
1. 24. So 1669 ; 1635, Than to iove self for love's sake 1650, Than to love self-love for love's sake