Sir John Suckling (1609–1642)

THIS one request I make to Him

That sits the clouds above:

That I were freely out of debt,

As I am out of love.

Then for to dance, to drink, and sing,

I should be very willing;

I should not owe one lass a kiss

Nor ne’er knave a shilling.

’Tis only being in love, or debt,

That breaks us of our rest,

And he that is quite out of both

Of all the world is blest.

He sees the golden age, wherein

All things were free and common;

He eats, he drinks, he takes his rest—

And fears nor man nor woman.