Ode 5. Parthenophe! See what is sent!

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

PARTHENOPHE! See what is sent!

By me (fair Nymph!) these Saints salute thee!

Whose presents in this basket here,

Faithful PARTHENOPHIL doth bear!

Nor will I prove ingrate! nor mute be!

If my power were,

Such gifts as these

(If they would please)

Here willingly I would present!

And these, those presents present be!

First, JUNO sent to thee, these lilies!

In whose stead chaste Affection moves.

VENUS hath sent two turtle doves!

NARCISSUS gives thee daffodillies!

For doves, true loves!

For daffodillies

My golden wills!

Which countervails what here is sent thee!

FLORA doth greet thee, with sweet roses!

THETIS, with rich pearls orient!

LEUCOTHOE, with frankincense!

For roses, my love’s chaste pretence!

For pearls, those tears which I have spent!

My sighs’ incense,

For sweet perfume!

Thus I presume,

Poor Shepherd! to present these posies!

Though I be rude, as shepherds are,

Lilies, I know, do stand for whiteness!

And daffodillies, thy golden hair!

And doves, thy meekness! figures bear.

Red roses, for a blushing brightness!

Thy teeth, pearls were!

That incense showed

Thy breath that blowed,

A sacrifice! for which gods care.

Blest is that Shepherd, nine times nine!

Which shall, in bosom, these flowers keep

Bound in one posy; whose sweet smell,

In Paradise may make him dwell!

And sleep a ten times happy sleep!

I dare not mell!

Else with good will

PARTHENOPHIL

Would to thy lips, one kiss assign!