No More Learning

_Pith_, marrow.
_Thyrse_, bacchic staff.
_Pricket_, a buck in his second year.


337. A SHORT HYMN TO VENUS.

Goddess, I do love a girl,
Ruby-lipp'd and tooth'd with pearl;
If so be I may but prove
Lucky in this maid I love,
I will promise there shall be
Myrtles offer'd up to thee.


338. TO A GENTLEWOMAN ON JUST DEALING.

True to yourself and sheets, you'll have me swear;
You shall, if righteous dealing I find there.
Do not you fall through frailty; I'll be sure
To keep my bond still free from forfeiture.


339. THE HAND AND TONGUE.

Two parts of us successively command:
The tongue in peace; but then in war the hand.


340. UPON A DELAYING LADY.
Come, come away,
Or let me go;
Must I here stay
Because y'are slow,
And will continue so?
Troth, lady, no.

I scorn to be
A slave to state:
And, since I'm free,
I will not wait
Henceforth at such a rate
For needy fate.

If you desire
My spark should glow,
The peeping fire
You must blow,
Or I shall quickly grow
To frost or snow.


341. TO THE LADY MARY VILLARS, GOVERNESS TO THE PRINCESS HENRIETTA.

When I of Villars do but hear the name,
It calls to mind that mighty Buckingham,
Who was your brave exalted uncle here,
Binding the wheel of fortune to his sphere,
Who spurned at envy, and could bring with ease
An end to all his stately purposes.
For his love then, whose sacred relics show
Their resurrection and their growth in you;
And for my sake, who ever did prefer
You above all those sweets of Westminster;
Permit my book to have a free access
To kiss your hand, most dainty governess.


342. UPON HIS JULIA.

Will ye hear what I can say
Briefly of my Julia?
Black and rolling is her eye,
Double-chinn'd and forehead high;
Lips she has all ruby red,
Cheeks like cream enclareted;
And a nose that is the grace
And proscenium of her face.
So that we may guess by these
The other parts will richly please.


343. TO FLOWERS.

In time of life I graced ye with my verse;
Do now your flowery honours to my hearse.