Pastoral Poems (Breton); Selected Poetry (Wither); Pastoral Poetry (Browne)/A Song
For works with similar titles, see A Song.
A Song
Gentle nymphs, be not refusing.
Love's neglect is time's abusing,
They and beauty are but lent you;
Take the one and keep the other:
Love keeps fresh what age doth smother;
Beauty gone you will repent you.
'Twill be said when ye have proved,
Never swains more truly loved:
Oh then fly all nice behaviour!
Pity fain would (as her duty)
Be attending still on Beauty,
Let her not be out of favour.
From Britannia's Pastorals.