Above an hour since: yet you not dressed; Nay! not so much as out of bed? When all the birds have matins said 10 And sung their thankful hymns, 't is sin,

Nay, profanation, to keep in, Whenas a thousand virgins on this day Spring, sooner than the lark, to fetch in May.

Rise, and put on your foliage, and be seen To come forth, like the spring-time, fresh and green,

And sweet as Flora. Take no care
For jewels for your gown or hair:
Fear not; the leaves will strew

16

20

Gems in abundance upon you: Besides, the childhood of the day has kept, Against you come, some orient pearls unwept;

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Come and receive them while the light Hangs on the dew-locks of the right: And Titan on the eastern hill Retires himself, or else stands still Till you come forth. Wash, dress, be brief in praying:

Few beads are best when once we go a-Maying.

Come, my Corinna, come; and, coming mark

How each field turns a street, each street a

ΙΟ

What! shall I ever sigh and pine?

My lines and life are free; free as the road, Loose as the wind, as large as store.

Shall I be still in suit?

Have I no harvest but a thorn
To let me blood, and not restore
What I have lost with cordial fruit?
Sure there was wine

5

10

Before my sighs did dry it; there was

corn

Before my tears did drown it;

Is the year only lost to me?

Have I no bays to crown it,

No flowers, no garlands gay? all blasted, 15
All wasted?

Not so, my heart, but there is fruit,
And thou hast hands.

Recover all thy sigh-blown age

On double pleasures; leave thy cold dispute Of what is fit and not; forsake thy cage, 21 Thy rope of sands

Which petty thoughts have made; and made to thee

Good cable, to enforce and draw,
And be thy law,

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