Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. I. Early Poetry: Chaucer to Donne

Elizabethan Miscellanies

From Davison’s Poetical Rapsody: Madrigals

(In praise of Two)

FAUSTINA hath the fairest face,

And Phillida the better grace;

Both have mine eye enriched:

This sings full sweetly with her voice;

Her fingers make so sweet a noise:

Both have mine ear bewitched.

Ah me! sith Fates have so provided,

My heart, alas! must be divided.

*****

MY Love in her attire doth show her wit,

It doth as well become her;

For every season she hath dressings fit,

For winter, spring, and summer.

No beauty she doth miss

When all her robes are on;

But Beauty’s self she is

When all her robes are gone.