Those that live single, take it for a curse, Or do things worse: Some would have children; those that have them none; Or wish them gone. What is it then to have or have no wife But single thraldom or a double strife? Our own affections still at home to please, To cross the sea to any foreign soil, Perils and toil: Wars with their noise affright us: when they cease What then remains, but that we still should cry, XXVI. SAMUEL DANIEL, 1562-1619. L SONG. OVE is a sickness full of woes, All remedies refusing; A plant that with most cutting grows, Most barren with best using. More we enjoy it, more it dies; Love is a torment of the mind, And Jove hath made it of a kind Not well, nor full, nor fasting. More we enjoy it, more it dies; XXVII. ULYSSES AND THE SIREN. SIREN. OME worthy Greek, Ulysses, come, The winds and seas are troublesome, Here may we sit and view their toil And joy the day in mirth the while, ULYSSES. Fair nymph, if fame or honour were Then would I come and rest with thee, But here it dwells, and here must I With danger seek it forth, Becomes not men of worth. SIREN. Ulysses, O be not deceived With that unreal name, 'Tis honour is a thing conceived, And rests on others fame. Begotten only to molest Our peace, and to beguile, The best thing of our life, our rest, ULYSSES. Delicious nymph, suppose there were Nor honour nor report, Yet manliness would scorn to wear For toil doth give a better touch To make us feel our joy, And ease finds tediousness as much As labour yields annoy. SIREN. Then pleasure likewise seems the shore Whereto tends all your toil, Which you forego to make it more, And perish oft the while. Who may disport them diversely Find never tedious day, And ease may have variety As well as action may. ULYSSES. But natures of the noblest frame These toils and dangers please, And they take comfort in the same As much as you in ease; And with the thought of actions past Are recreated still: When pleasure leaves a touch at last To show that it was ill. SIREN. That doth opinion only cause, Which makes us many other laws No widows wail for our delights, ULYSSES. But yet the state of things require These motions of unrest: And these great spirits of high desire Seem born to turn them best. To purge the mischiefs that increase, And all good order mar, |