dots-menu
×

Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  240. A Welcome

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

William Browne, of Tavistock. 1588–1643

240. A Welcome

WELCOME, welcome! do I sing, 
Far more welcome than the spring; 
He that parteth from you never 
Shall enjoy a spring for ever. 
 
He that to the voice is near         5
  Breaking from your iv’ry pale, 
Need not walk abroad to hear 
  The delightful nightingale. 
                  Welcome, welcome, then… 
 
He that looks still on your eyes,  10
  Though the winter have begun 
To benumb our arteries, 
  Shall not want the summer’s sun. 
                  Welcome, welcome, then… 
 
He that still may see your cheeks,  15
  Where all rareness still reposes, 
Is a fool if e’er he seeks 
  Other lilies, other roses. 
                  Welcome, welcome, then… 
 
He to whom your soft lip yields,  20
  And perceives your breath in kissing, 
All the odours of the fields 
  Never, never shall be missing. 
                  Welcome, welcome, then… 
 
He that question would anew  25
  What fair Eden was of old, 
Let him rightly study you, 
  And a brief of that behold. 
                  Welcome, welcome, then…