Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Richard Lovelace. 16181658346. To Amarantha, that she would dishevel her Hair
AMARANTHA sweet and fair, | |
Ah, braid no more that shining hair! | |
As my curious hand or eye | |
Hovering round thee, let it fly! | |
Let it fly as unconfined | 5 |
As its calm ravisher the wind, | |
Who hath left his darling, th’ East, | |
To wanton o’er that spicy nest. | |
Every tress must be confest, | |
But neatly tangled at the best; | 10 |
Like a clew of golden thread | |
Most excellently ravellèd. | |
Do not then wind up that light | |
In ribbands, and o’ercloud in night, | |
Like the Sun in ‘s early ray; | 15 |
But shake your head, and scatter day! |