Tudor and Stuart Love Songs — Henry Constable

A SHEPHERD'S SONG TO HIS LOVE.

Diaphenia, like the daffa-down-dilly, White as the sun, fair as the lily, Heigh-ho, how I do love thee!

I do love thee as my lambs Are beloved of their dams: How blest I were if thou would'st prove me!

Diaphenia, like the spreading roses, That in thy sweets all sweets encloses, Fair sweet, how I do love thee!

I do love thee as each flower Loves the sun's life-giving power;

For, dead, thy breath to life might move me.

Diaphenia, like to all things blessed, When all thy praises are expressed, Dear joy, how I do love thee!

As the birds do love the spring, Or the bees their careful king: Then, in requite, sweet virgin, love me!

Henry Constable.