Page:Works of Sir John Suckling.djvu/40

TO MY FRIEND WILL. DAVENANT, ON HIS OTHER POEMS

Thou hast redeem'd us, Will; and future times
Shall not account unto the age's crimes
Dearth of pure wit. Since the great lord of it,
Donne parted hence, no man has ever writ
So near him in 's own way: I would commend5
Particulars; but then, how should I end
Without a volume? Ev'ry line of thine
Would ask (to praise it right) twenty of mine.

---

 

1

Love, Reason, Hate, did once bespeak

Three mates to play at barley-break:
Love, Folly took; and Reason, Fancy;
And Hate consorts with Pride; so dance they:
Love coupled last, and so it fell,5
That Love and Folly were in hell.

2

They break, and Love would Reason meet;

But Hate was nimbler on her feet:
Fancy looks for Pride, and thither
Hies, and they two hug together:10
Yet this new coupling still doth tell
That Love and Folly were in hell.

3

The rest do break again, and Pride

Hath now got Reason on her side:
Hate and Fancy meet, and stand15
Untoucht by Love in Folly's hand:
Folly was dull, but Love ran well;
So Love and Folly were in hell.

 

SONG

1

I prithee spare me, gentle boy;

Press me no more for that slight toy,
That foolish trifle of an heart:
I swear it will not do its part,
Though thou dost thine, employ'st thy power and art.5