INCE Nature's works be good, and death doth

serve

As Nature's work, why should we fear to die?
Since fear is vain but when it may preserve,

Why should we fear that which we cannot fly?

Fear is more pain than is the pain it fears,
Disarming human minds of native might;

While each conceit an ugly figure bears

Which were not evil, well viewed in reason's light. Our owly eyes, which dimmed with passions be, And scarce discern the dawn of coming day, Let them be cleared, and now begin to see

Our life is but a step in dusty way.

Then let us hold the bliss of peaceful mind;
Since this we feel, great loss we cannot find.

SIR PHILIP SIDNEY.

A VISION UPON THE FAERY QUEEN.

ETHOUGHT I saw the grave where Laura lay,
Within that Temple where the vestal flame
Was wont to burn; and passing by that way

To see that buried dust of living fame,

Whose tomb fair Love and fairer Virtue kept,
All suddenly I saw the Faery Queen :

At whose approach the soul of Petrarch wept ;
And from thenceforth those Graces were not ́seen,
For they this Queen attended; in whose stead
Oblivion laid him down on Laura's hearse.
Hereat the hardest stones were seen to bleed,

And groans of buried ghosts the heavens did pierce,
Where Homer's spright did tremble all for grief,
And cursed the access of that celestial thief.

SIR WALTER Raleigh.

'

THE CONSTANCY OF LOVE.

ERE I as base as is the lowly plain,

And you, my Love, as high as heaven above, Yet should the thoughts of me your humble swain

Ascend to heaven in honour of my Love. Were I as high as heaven above the plain,

And you, my Love, as humble and as low

As are the deepest bottoms of the main,

Wheresoe'er you were, with you my love should go.
Were you the earth dear Love, and I the skies,
My love should shine on you like to the sun,

And look upon you with ten thousand eyes

Till heaven waxed blind and till the world were done. Wheresoe'er I am, below or else above you,

Wheresoe'er you are, my heart shall truly love you.

JOSHUA SYLVESTER.

FAVOUR.

ADY! in beauty and in favour rare,
Of favour, not of due, I favour crave:

Nature to thee beauty and favour gave,

Fair then thou art, and favour thou may'st spare. And when on me bestowed your favours are, Less favour in your face you shall not have : If favour then a wounded soul may save, Of murder's guilt, dear lady, then beware. My loss of life a million-fold were less

Than the least loss should unto you befall;

Yet grant this gift: which gift when I possess, Both I have life, and you no loss at all:

For by your favour only I do live;

And favour you may well both keep and give.

HENRY CONStable.

1

ITY refusing my poor Love to feed,

A beggar starved for want of help he lies, And at your mouth, the door of Beauty, cries That thence some alms of sweet grants may proceed. But as he waiteth for some alms-deed,

A cherry-tree before the door he spies

“O dear!” quoth he, "two cherries may suffice,
Two only life may save in this my need."

But beggars, can they nought but cherries eat?
Pardon my Love, he is a goddess' son,
And never feedeth but on dainty meat,
Else need he not to pine as he hath done :
For only the sweet fruit of this sweet tree
Can give food to my Love, and life to me.