Tudor and Stuart Love Songs — Sir John Vanbrugh

AN ANGELIC WOMAN.

Not an angel dwells above Half so fair as her I love.

Heaven knows how she'll receive me: If she smiles I'm blest indeed;

If she frowns I'm quickly freed;

Heaven knows she ne'er can grieve me.

None can love her more than I, Yet she ne'er shall make me die, If my flame can never warm her: Lasting beauty I'll adore, I shall never love her more, Cruelty will so deform her.

Sir John Vanbrugh.

I SMILE AT LOVE.

I smile at Love, and all its arts, The charming Cynthia cried: Take heed, for Love has piercing darts, A wounded swain replied.

Once free and blest as you are now, I trifled with his charms, I pointed at his little bow, And sported with his arms, Till urged too far, Revenge!

he cries, A fatal shaft he drew, It took its passage through your eyes, And to my heart it flew.

To tear it thence I tried in vain;

To strive, I quickly found Was only to increase the pain, And to enlarge the wound.

Ah!

much too well, I fear, you know What pain I'm to endure, Since what your eyes alone can do Your heart alone can cure.

And that (grant Heaven, I may mistake!

) I doubt is doom'd to bear A burden for another's sake, Who ill rewards its care.

Sir John Vanbrugh.