| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| William Walsh. 1663–1708 |
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| 429. Rivals |
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| OF all the torments, all the cares, | |
| With which our lives are curst; | |
| Of all the plagues a lover bears, | |
| Sure rivals are the worst! | |
| By partners in each other kind | 5 |
| Afflictions easier grow; | |
| In love alone we hate to find | |
| Companions of our woe. | |
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| Sylvia, for all the pangs you see | |
| Are labouring in my breast, | 10 |
| I beg not you would favour me, | |
| Would you but slight the rest! | |
| How great soe'er your rigours are, | |
| With them alone I'll cope; | |
| I can endure my own despair, | 15 |
| But not another's hope. | |
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