Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke.

1554-1628

106   Myra

I, WITH whose colours Myra dress’d her head,
    I, that ware posies of her own hand-making,
I, that mine own name in the chimneys¹ read
    By Myra finely wrought ere I was waking:
Must I look on, in hope time coming may
With change bring back my turn again to play?

I, that on Sunday at the church-stile found,
    A garland sweet with true-love-knots in flowers,
Which I to wear about mine arms was bound
    That each of us might know that all was ours:
Must I lead now an idle life in wishes,
And follow Cupid for his loaves and fishes?

I, that did wear the ring her mother left,
    I, for whose love she gloried to be blamàed,
I, with whose eyes her eyes committed theft,
    I, who did make her blush when I was namàed:
Must I lose ring, flowers, blush, theft, and go naked,
Watching with sighs till dead love be awakàed?

Was it for this that I might Myra see
    Washing the water with her beauty’s white?
Yet would she never write her love to me.
    Thinks wit of change when thoughts are in delight?
Mad girls may safely love as they may leave;
No man can print a kiss: lines may deceive.²