Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Thomas Carew. 1595?1639?290. Persuasions to Joy: a Song
IF the quick spirits in your eye | |
Now languish and anon must die; | |
If every sweet and every grace | |
Must fly from that forsaken face; | |
Then, Celia, let us reap our joys | 5 |
Ere Time such goodly fruit destroys. | |
Or if that golden fleece must grow | |
For ever free from agèd snow; | |
If those bright suns must know no shade, | |
Nor your fresh beauties ever fade; | 10 |
Then fear not, Celia, to bestow | |
What, still being gather’d, still must grow. | |
Thus either Time his sickle brings | |
In vain, or else in vain his wings. |