To His Love When He Had Obtained Her

Now Serena be not coy,

Since we freely may enjoy Sweet embraces, such delights,

As will shorten tedious nights.

Think that beauty will not stay With you always, but away,

And that tyrannizing face That now holds such perfect grace Will both changed and ruined be;

So frail is all things as we see,

So subject unto conquering Time.

Then gather flowers in their prime,

Let them not fall and perish so;

Nature her bounties did bestow On us that we might use them, and 'Tis coldness not to understand What she and youth and form persuade With opportunity that's made As we could wish it.

Let's, then, meet Often with amorous lips, and greet Each other till our wanton kisses In number pass the day Ulysses Consumed in travel, and the stars That look upon our peaceful wars With envious luster.

If this store Will not suffice, we'll number o'er The same again, until we find No number left to call to mind And show our plenty.

They are poor That can count all they have and more.