Richard Corbet (1582–1635)

THE DAMASK meadows and the crawling streams

Sweeten and make soft thy dreams:

The purling springs, groves, birds, and well-weaved bowers,

With fields enamellèd with flowers,

Present thee shapes, while phantasy discloses

Millions of lilies mixt with roses.

Then dream thou hearest the lamb with many a bleat

Wooed to come suck the milky teat;

Whilst Faunus in the vision vows to keep

From ravenous wolf the woolly sheep;

With thousand such enchanting dreams, which meet

To make sleep not so sound as sweet.

Nor can these figures so thy rest endear

As not to up when chanticleer

Speaks the last watch, but with the dawn dost rise

To work, but first to sacrifice:

Making thy peace with heaven for some late fault,

With holy meat and crackling salt.