| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Richard Lovelace. 1618–1658 |
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| 346. To Amarantha, that she would dishevel her Hair |
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| AMARANTHA sweet and fair, | |
| Ah, braid no more that shining hair! | |
| As my curious hand or eye | |
| Hovering round thee, let it fly! | |
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| Let it fly as unconfined | 5 |
| As its calm ravisher the wind, | |
| Who hath left his darling, th' East, | |
| To wanton o'er that spicy nest. | |
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| Every tress must be confest, | |
| But neatly tangled at the best; | 10 |
| Like a clew of golden thread | |
| Most excellently ravellèd. | |
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| Do not then wind up that light | |
| In ribbands, and o'ercloud in night, | |
| Like the Sun in 's early ray; | 15 |
| But shake your head, and scatter day! | |
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