No More Learning

785. CHRISTMAS-EVE, ANOTHER CEREMONY.

Come guard this night the Christmas-pie,
That the thief, though ne'er so sly,
With his flesh-hooks, don't come nigh
To catch it
From him, who all alone sits there,
Having his eyes still in his ear,
And a deal of nightly fear,
To watch it.


786. ANOTHER TO THE MAIDS.

Wash your hands, or else the fire
Will not teend to your desire;
Unwash'd hands, ye maidens, know,
Dead the fire, though ye blow.

_Teend_, kindle.


787. ANOTHER.

Wassail the trees, that they may bear
You many a plum and many a pear:
For more or less fruits they will bring,
As you do give them wassailing.


788. POWER AND PEACE.

_'Tis never, or but seldom known,
Power and peace to keep one throne. _


789. TO HIS DEAR VALENTINE, MISTRESS MARGARET FALCONBRIDGE.
Now is your turn, my dearest, to be set
A gem in this eternal coronet:
'Twas rich before, but since your name is down
It sparkles now like Ariadne's crown.
Blaze by this sphere for ever: or this do,
Let me and it shine evermore by you.


790. TO OENONE.

Sweet Oenone, do but say
Love thou dost, though love says nay.
Speak me fair; for lovers be
Gently kill'd by flattery.


791. VERSES.

Who will not honour noble numbers, when
Verses out-live the bravest deeds of men?


792. HAPPINESS.

That happiness does still the longest thrive,
Where joys and griefs have turns alternative.


793. THINGS OF CHOICE LONG A-COMING.

We pray 'gainst war, yet we enjoy no peace;
_Desire deferr'd is that it may increase_.


794.