Canzonet

By Michael Drayton (1563-1631).

To His Coy Love

I pray thee, leave, love me no more,
  Call home the heart you gave me!
I but in vain that saint adore
  That can, but will not save me.
These poor half-kisses kill me quite—        5
  Was ever man thus servèd?
Amidst an ocean of delight
  For pleasure to be starvèd.

Show me no more those snowy breasts,
  With azure riverets° branchèd,        10
Where, whilst mine eye with plenty feasts,
  Yet is my thirst not stanchèd;
O, Tantalus! thy pains ne’er tell
  By me thou art prevented;
’Tis nothing to be plagued in Hell,        15
  But thus in Heaven tormented!

Clip me no more in those dear arms,
  Nor thy life’s comfort call me,
O these are but too powerful charms,
  And do but more enthral me!        20
But see how patient I am grown
  In all this coil about thee;
Come, nice thing, let my heart alone,
  I cannot live without thee!


Notes

Line 10: riveret. Rivulet.