William Browne (c. 1590–c. 1645)

WELCOME! welcome! do I sing,

Far more welcome than the spring;

He that parteth from you never

Shall enjoy a spring for ever.

He that to the voice is near,

Breaking from your ivory pale,

Need not walk abroad to hear

The delightful nightingale.
Welcome, welcome,…

He that looks still on your eyes,

Though the winter have begun

To benumb our arteries,

Shall not want the summer’s sun.
Welcome, welcome,…

He that still may see your cheeks,

Where all rareness still reposes,

Is a fool, if e’er he seeks

Other lilies, other roses.
Welcome, welcome,…

He to whom your soft lip yields,

And perceives your breath in kissing,

All the odours of the fields

Never, never shall be missing.
Welcome, welcome,…

He that question would anew

What fair Eden was of old,

Let him rightly study you,

And a brief of that behold.
Welcome, welcome,…