Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Thomas Lodge. 1556?162599. Phillis 2
LOVE guards the roses of thy lips | |
And flies about them like a bee; | |
If I approach he forward skips, | |
And if I kiss he stingeth me. | |
Love in thine eyes doth build his bower, | 5 |
And sleeps within their pretty shine; | |
And if I look the boy will lower, | |
And from their orbs shoot shafts divine. | |
Love works thy heart within his fire, | |
And in my tears doth firm the same; | 10 |
And if I tempt it will retire, | |
And of my plaints doth make a game. | |
Love, let me cull her choicest flowers; | |
And pity me, and calm her eye; | |
Make soft her heart, dissolve her lowers | 15 |
Then will I praise thy deity. | |
But if thou do not, Love, I’ll truly serve her | |
In spite of thee, and by firm faith deserve her. |