Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden

William Browne (c. 1590–c. 1645)

Extracts from Britannia’s Pastorals: A Comparison

Book III. Song 2.

AS when a woodman on the greeny lawns,

Where daily chants the sad-sweet nightingale,

Would count his herd, more bucks, more prickets, fawns

Rush from the copse and put him from his tale;

Or some way-faring man, when morning dawns,

Would tell the sweet notes in a joysome vale,

At every foot a new bird lights and sings,

And makes him leave to count their sonnettings.

So when my willing muse would gladly dress

Her several graces in immortal lines,

Plenty empoors her; every golden tress,

Each little dimple, every glance that shines

As radiant as Apollo, I confess

My skill too weak for so admired designs;

For whilst one beauty I am close about,

Millions do newly rise and put me out.