Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Alexander Brome. 16201666354. The Resolve
TELL me not of a face that ‘s fair, | |
Nor lip and cheek that ‘s red, | |
Nor of the tresses of her hair, | |
Nor curls in order laid, | |
Nor of a rare seraphic voice | 5 |
That like an angel sings; | |
Though if I were to take my choice | |
I would have all these things: | |
But if that thou wilt have me love, | |
And it must be a she, | 10 |
The only argument can move | |
Is that she will love me. | |
The glories of your ladies be | |
But metaphors of things, | |
And but resemble what we see | 15 |
Each common object brings. | |
Roses out-red their lips and cheeks, | |
Lilies their whiteness stain; | |
What fool is he that shadows seeks | |
And may the substance gain? | 20 |
Then if thou’lt have me love a lass, | |
Let it be one that ‘s kind: | |
Else I’m a servant to the glass | |
That ‘s with Canary lined. |