45. Beauty Bathing

BEAUTY sat bathing by a spring

Where fairest shades did hide her;

The winds blew calm, the birds did sing,

The cool streams ran beside her.

My wanton thoughts enticed mine eye

To see what was forbidden:

But better memory said, fie!

So vain desire was chidden:—

Hey nonny nonny O!

Hey nonny nonny!

Into a slumber then I fell,

When fond imagination

Seeméd to see, but could not tell

Her feature or her fashion.

But, ev’n as babes in dreams do smile,

And sometimes fall a-weeping,

So I awaked, as wise this while

As when I fell a-sleeping:—

Hey nonny nonny O!

Hey nonny nonny!