| Herbert J.C. Grierson, ed. (1886–1960). Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the 17th C. 1921. |
| |
| Sir William Davenant |
| |
| 133. For the Lady Olivia Porter; a Present upon a New-years Day |
| |
| GOE! hunt the whiter Ermine! and present | |
| His wealthy skin, as this dayes Tribute sent | |
| To my Endimion's Love; Though she be farre | |
| More gently smooth, more soft than Ermines are! | |
| Goe! climbe that Rock! and when thou there hast found | 5 |
| A Star, contracted in a Diamond, | |
| Give it Endimion's Love, whose glorious Eyes, | |
| Darken the starry Jewels of the Skies! | |
| Goe! dive into the Southern Sea! and when | |
| Th'ast found (to trouble the nice sight of Men) | 10 |
| A swelling Pearle; and such whose single worth, | |
| Boasts all the wonders which the Seas bring forth; | |
| Give it Endimion's Love! whose ev'ry Teare, | |
| Would more enrich the skilful Jeweller. | |
| How I command? how slowly they obey? | 15 |
| The churlish Tartar, will not hunt to day: | |
| Nor will that lazy, sallow-Indian strive | |
| To climbe the Rock, nor that dull Negro dive. | |
| Thus Poets like to Kings (by trust deceiv'd) | |
| Give oftner what is heard of, than receiv'd. | 20 |
| |
|
|
