Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
William Browne, of Tavistock. 15881643240. 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… |