Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden
William Browne (c. 1590c. 1645)Extracts from Britannias Pastorals: The Song of Tavy
A
(After long time and merry gales of wind)
Upon the place where their brave ship must land,
So wait I for the vessel of my mind.
Whose safe return will valued be at more
Than all the wealthy prizes which have crowned
The golden wishes of an age before.
Th’ unvalu’d diamond of her sparkling eye
Wants in the treasure of all Europe’s kings;
And were it mine they nor their crowns should buy.
Run as rich veins of ore about the mould,
And are in sickness with a pale possest
So true, for them I should disvalue gold.
Are of such power to hold; that as one day
Cupid flew thirsty by, he stooped to sip,
And fastened there could never get away.
When hers I taste; nor the perfumes of price,
Robb’d from the happy shrubs of Araby,
As her sweet breath, so powerful to entice.
Unto that wished traffic through the main,
My powerful sighs shall quickly drive thee on,
And then begin to draw thee back again.
It shall suffice, I ventured at the best.