by Ben Jonson (1572 - 1637)
[No title] See original
Language: English
1st Grace: Beauties, have ye seen a Toy, Call'd Love, a little Boy, Almost naked, wanton, blind; Cruel now, and then as kind? If he be amongst ye, say; He is Venus Run-away. 2nd Grace: She, that will but now discover Where the winged Wag doth hover, Shall, to Night, receive a Kiss, How, or where her self would wish: But, who brings him to his Mother, Shall have that Kiss, and another. 3rd Grace: Marks he hath about him plenty: You shall know him among twenty. All his body is a fire, And his breath a flame entire, That being shot, like lightning, in, Wounds the heart, but not the skin. ... 2nd Grace: Wings he hath, which though ye clip, He will leap from lip, to lip, Over liver, lips, and heart, But nee'r stay in any part; And, if chance his arrow misses, He will shoot himself, in kisses. 3rd Grace: He doth bear a golden Bow, And a Quiver, hanging low, Full of Arrows, that out-brave Dian's shafts: what, if he have Any head more sharp than other, With that kisse he strikes his Mother. 1st Grace: Still the fairest are his fuel. When his days are to be cruel, Lovers hearts are all his food; And his baths their warmest blood: Nought but wounds his hand doth season; And he hates none like to Reason. 2nd Grace: Trust him not: his words, though sweet, Seldom with his heart do meet. All his practice is deceit; Every gift it is a bait; Not a kiss, but poyson bears; And most treason in his tears. 3rd Grace: Idle minutes are his raign; Then, the Stragler makes his gain, By presenting Maids with toys, And would have ye think 'em joys: 'Tis the ambition of the Elf, To have all childish, as himself. 1st Grace: If by these ye please to know him, Beauties, be not nice, but show him. ...
Composition:
- Set to music by Henry Lawes (c1595 - 1662), no title, published 1655, stanzas 1-3,5-10 [ 2 sopranos, bass, continuo ], from The Second Book of Ayres, and Dialogues, no. 50, Confirmed with The Second Book of Ayres and Dialogues, for One, Two, and Three, by Henry Lawes, John Playford, London 1655, Page 49.
Text Authorship:
- by Ben Jonson (1572 - 1637), no title, first published 1608
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This text was added to the website: 2022-01-01
Line count: 72
Word count: 397