Sir Charles Sedley (1639–1701)

‘HEARS not my Phillis how the birds

Their feathered mates salute?

They tell their passion in their words:

Must I alone be mute?’

Phillis, without frown or smile,

Sat and knotted all the while.

‘The god of love in thy bright eyes,

Does like a tyrant reign;

But in thy heart a child he lies

Without his dart or flame.’

Phillis, without frown or smile,

Sat and knotted all the while.

‘So many months in silence past,

And yet in raging love,

Might well deserve one word at last

My passion should approve.’

Phillis, without frown or smile,

Sat and knotted all the while.

‘Must then your faithful swain expire

And not one look obtain,

Which he to soothe his fond desire

Might pleasingly explain?’

Phillis, without frown or smile,

Sat and knotted all the while!