Hesperus? entreats thy light,

Goddess, excellently bright.
Earth, let not thy envious shade
Dare itself to interpose;
Cynthia's3 shining orb was made
Heav'n to clear, when day did close:

Bless us then with wished sight,

Goddess, excellently bright.
Lay thy bow of pearl apart,
And thy crystal shining quiver ;
Give unto the flying hart 4
Space to breathe, how short soever;

Thou that mak'st a day of night,
Goddess, excellently bright.

22

TRUE GROWTH.
It is not growing like a tree

In bulk, doth make Man better be;
Or standing long, an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:1

A lily of a day

Is fairer far in May,
Although it fall and die that night-

It was the plant and flower of Light!
In small proportions we just beauties see;

And in short measures life may perfect be. 2 Venus, the cvening star.

23

ADVICE TO A YOUTH.

1

LEARN to be wise, and practise how to thrive;
That would I have you do: and not to spend .
Your coin on every bauble that you fancy,
Or every foolish brain that humours you.
I would not have you to invade each place,
Nor thrust yourself on all societies,
Till men's affections, or your own desert,
Should worthily invite you to your rank.
He that is so respectless in his courses,
Oft sells his reputation at cheap market.
Nor would I you should melt away yourself
In flashing bravery, lest, while you affect

3 8
To make a blaze of gentry to the world,
A little puff of scorn extinguish it;
And
you

be left like an unsavoury snuff, Whose property is only to offend. I'd have you sober, and contain yourself; Not that your sail be bigger than your boat; But moderate your expenses now, at first, As you may keep the same proportion still: Nor stand so much on your gentility, Which is an airy and mere borrowed thing, From dead men's dust, and bones ; and none of yours, Except you make, or hold it.

5

24

EPITAPH.

UNDERNEATH this sable hearse
Lies the subject of all verse,
Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother;
Death! ere thou hast slain another,
Learn'd and fair, and good as she,
Time shall throw a dart at thee!

- 25

SONG TO CELIA.

a

Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I'll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise,
Doth ask a drink divine :
But might I of Jove's nectar? sup,
I would not change for thine.
I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee,
As giving it a hope that there
It could not wither'd be.
But thou thereon didst only breathe,
And sent'st it back to me :
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee.

26

JOHN FLETCHER.--Born, 1679; Died, 1625. His name is for over associated with that of Francis Beaumont, bis friend; the two having written most of their productions jointly. He was the son of a vicar, afterwards Bishop of London. The plays by the two friends are numerous, and full of genius, but licentious.

COUNTRY SCENES IN OLDEN DAYS.

DAY-BREAK.
See the day begins to break,
And the light shoots like a streak
Of subtle fire; the wind blows cold
While the morning doth unfold;
Now the birds begin to rouse,
And the squirrel from the boughs
Leaps, to get him nuts and fruit;
The early lark, that erst? was mute,
Carols to the rising day
Many a note and many a lay.

UNFOLDING THE FLOCKS.
Shepherds, rise, and shake off sleep-
See the blushing morn doth peep
Through the windows, while the sun
To the mountain-tops is run,
Gilding all the vales below
With his rising flames, which grow
Greater by his climbing still.-
Up! ye lazy swains ! and fill
Bag and bottle for the field;
Clasp your cloaks fast, lest they yield

? erst, first, super. of ere-(ere-est.)

E

To the bitter north-east wind.
Call the maidens up, and find
Who lies longest, that she may
Be chidden for untimed delay.
Feed your faithful dogs, and pray
Heaven to keep you from decay ;:
So unfold, and then away.

FOLDING THE FLOCKS. Shepherds all, and maidens fair, Fold your flocks up;

for the air 'Gins to thicken, and the sun Already his great course hath run. See the dew-drops how they kiss Every little flower that is; Hanging on their velvet heads, Like a rope of crystal beads. See the heavy clouds low falling, And bright Hesperus down calling The dead Night from underground; At whose rising, mists unsound, Damps and vapours, fly apace, Hovering o'er the wanton face Of these pastures, where they come Striking dead both bud and bloom : Therefore from such danger lock Every one his lovèd flock; And let your dogs lie loose without, Lest the wolf come as a scout"