THE CHOICE
by: George Wither (1588-1667)
- E so oft my fancy drew
- Here and there, that I ne'er knew
- Where to place desire before
- So that range it might no more;
- But as he that passeth by
- Where, in all her jollity,
- Flora's riches in a row
- Do in seemly order grow,
- And a thousand flowers stand
- Bending as to kiss his hand;
- Out of which delightful store
- One he may take and no more;
- Long he pausing doubteth whether
- Of those fair ones he should gather.
-
- First the Primrose courts his eyes,
- Then the Cowslip he espies;
- Next the Pansy seems to woo him,
- Then Carnations bow unto him;
- Which whilst that enamour'd swain
- From the stalk intends to strain,
- (As half-fearing to be seen)
- Prettily her leaves between
- Peeps the Violet, pale to see
- That her virtues slighted be;
- Which so much his liking wins
- That to seize her he begins.
-
- Yet before he stoop'd so low
- He his wanton eye did throw
- On a stem that grew more high,
- And the Rose did there espy.
- Who, beside her previous scent,
- To procure his eyes content
- Did display her goodly breast,
- Where he found at full exprest
- All the good that Nature showers
- On a thousand other flowers;
- Wherewith he affected takes it,
- His belovèd flower he makes it,
- And without desire of more
- Walks through all he saw before.
-
- So I wand'ring but erewhile
- Through the garden of this Isle,
- Saw rich beauties, I confess,
- And in number numberless:
- Yea, so differing lovely too,
- That I had a world to do
- Ere I could set up my rest,
- Where to choose and choose the best.
-
- Thus I fondly fear'd, till Fate
- (Which I must confess in that
- Did a greater favour to me
- Than the world can malice do me)
- Show'd to me that matchless flower,
- Subject for this song of our;
- Whose perfection having eyed,
- Reason instantly espied
- That Desire, which ranged abroad,
- There would find a period:
- And no marvel if it might,
- For it there hath all delight,
- And in her hath nature placed
- What each several fair one graced.
-
- Let who list, for me, advance
- The admirèd flowers of France,
- Let who will praise and behold
- The reservèd Marigold;
- Let the sweet-breath'd Violet now
- Unto whom she pleaseth bow;
- And the fairest Lily spread
- Where she will her golden head;
- I have such a flower to wear
- That for those I do not care.
-
- Let the young and happy swains
- Playing on the Britain plains
- Court unblamed their shepherdesses,
- And with their gold curlèd tresses
- Toy uncensured, until I
- Grudge at their prosperity.
- Let all times, both present, past,
- And the age that shall be last,
- Vaunt the beauties they bring forth.
- I have found in one such worth,
- That content I neither care
- What the best before me were;
- Nor desire to live and see
- Who shall fair hereafter be;
- For I know the hand of Nature
- Will not make a fairer creature.
MORE
POEMS BY GEORGE WITHER |
|