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plays. His Miscellaneous Poems however furnish us with some admirable specimens. During the poet's lifetime, it may appear strange, that these poems were the most popular of his writings; and though they have since been eclipsed by the greater productions of his mighty genius, every reader of taste, will read the songs and sonnets which follow, with no small amount of pleasure and admiration. It is true editors and commentators have frequently overlooked the Miscellaneous Poems, or have condemned them as unworthy of their author. Some of our readers may perhaps be inclined to question their decision, and "regard these Poems as not more unworthy of Shakspere, than the minor effusions of Spenser and Milton are unworthy of the authors of the Faery Queen and Paradise Lost."

SPRING. A SONG.

[AT THE END OF 'LOVE'S LABOUR LOST.'

When daises pied, and violets blue,
And lady-smocks all silver white,
And cuckoo-buds, of yellow hue,
Do paint the meadows with delight,
The cuckoo then on every tree
Mocks married men, for thus sings he;
Cuckoo !

Cuckoo ! cuckoo !-O word of fear,
Unpleasing to a married ear!

When shepherds pipe on oaten straws,
And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks,
When turtles tread, and rooks and daws,
And maidens bleach their summer smocks;
The cuckoo then on every tree

Mocks married men, for thus sings he;
Cuckoo !

Cuckoo! cuckoo!-O word of fear,
Unpleasing to a married ear!

WINTER. A SONG.

AT THE END OF 'LOVE'S LABOUR LOST.'

When icicles hang by the wall,

And Dick the shepherd blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall,
And milk comes frozen home in pail;
When blood is nipt, and ways be foul,
Then nightly sings the staring owl,
Tu-whoo!

Tu-whit! tu-whoo! a merry note,
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

When all aloud the wind doth blow,
And coughing drowns the parson's saw,
And birds sit brooding in the snow,
And Marian's nose looks red and raw;
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl,
Then nightly sings the staring owl,

Tu-whoo!

Tu-whit! tu-whoo! a merry note,

While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

SONG.

FROM 'AS YOU LIKE IT.'

Under the green wood tree
Who loves to lie with me,
And tune his merry note

Unto the sweet bird's throat,

Come hither, come hither, come hither; Here shall he see

No enemy,

But winter and rough weather.

Who doth ambition shun,

And loves to live i' the sun;

Seeking the food he eats,

And pleas'd with what he gets, Come hither, come hither, come hither; Here shall he see

No enemy,

But winter and rough weather.

SONG.

[FROM THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.]

"Who is Silvia? what is she,

That all our swains commend her?

Holy, fair, and wise is she;

The heavens such grace did lend her, That she might admired be.

"Is she kind as she is fair?

For beauty lives with kindness!"
Love doth to her eyes repair,
To help him of his blindness;
And, being help'd, inhabits there.

Then to Silvia let us sing,
That Silvia is excelling;
She excels each mortal thing,
Upon the dull earth dwelling;
To her let us garlands bring.

SONG.

FROM THE 'PASSIONATE PILGRIM.'

Take, oh, take those lips away,

That so sweetly were foresworn; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn: But my kisses bring again,

Seals of love, but seal'd in vain!

Hide, oh, hide those hills of snow,
Which thy frozen bosom bears;
On whose tops the pinks that grow,
Are of those that April wears:

But first set my poor heart free,
Bound in those icy chains by thee!

A MADRIGAL.

FROM THE PASSIONATE PILGRIM.

Crabbed age and youth,
Cannot live together:
Youth is full of pleasure,

Age is full of care :

Youth like summer morn,

Age like winter bare:

Youth is full of sport,

Age's breath is short:

Youth is nimble, age is lame;

Youth is hot and bold,

Age is weak and cold;

Youth is wild, and age is tame:

Age, I do abhor thee,

Youth, I do adore thee;

O! my love, my love is young!
Age, I do defy thee!

O sweet shepherd, hie thee,

For methinks thou stays't too long.

ON BEAUTY.

FROM THE PASSIONATE PILGRIM.'

Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good A shining gloss, that fadeth suddenly;

H

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