_ What's thy
request?
Robert Herrick
_Ch. _ A sound I hear, but nothing yet can see;
Speak, where thou art. _Ph. _ O Charon pity me!
I am a bird, and though no name I tell,
My warbling note will say I'm Philomel.
_Ch. _ What's that to me? I waft nor fish or fowls,
Nor beasts, fond thing, but only human souls.
_Ph. _ Alas for me! _Ch. _ Shame on thy witching note
That made me thus hoist sail and bring my boat:
But I'll return; what mischief brought thee hither?
_Ph. _ A deal of love and much, much grief together.
_Ch.
_ What's thy request? _Ph. _ That since she's now beneath
Who fed my life, I'll follow her in death.
_Ch. _ And is that all? I'm gone. _Ph. _ By love I pray thee.
_Ch. _ Talk not of love; all pray, but few souls pay me.
_Ph. _ I'll give thee vows and tears. _Ch. _ Can tears pay scores
For mending sails, for patching boat and oars?
_Ph. _ I'll beg a penny, or I'll sing so long
Till thou shalt say I've paid thee with a song.
