Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden
Ben Jonson (15721637)Venetian Song (from Volpone)
[From Volpone; or, The Fox (acted 1605), Act I. Sc. 6.]
C
While we can, the sports of love.
Time will not be ours for ever;
He, at length, our good will sever;
Spend not then his gifts in vain:
Suns that set may rise again;
But if once we lose this light,
’Tis with us perpetual night.
Why should we defer our joys?
Fame and rumour are but toys.
Cannot we delude the eyes
Of a few poor household spies?
Or his easier ears beguile,
Thus removèd by our wile?
’Tis no sin love’s fruits to steal;
But the sweet thefts to reveal,
To be taken, to be seen,—
These have crimes accounted been.