In Imitation of Marloe

Come live with me, and be my dear, And we will revel all the year, In plains and groves, on hills and dales, Where fragrant air breeds sweetest gales. There shall you have the beauteous pine, The cedar, and the spreading vine, And all the woods to be a screen, Lest Phoebus kiss my summer's green. The seat of your disport shall be Over some river in a tree, Where silver sands and pebbles sing Eternal ditties to the spring. There shall you see the Nymphs at play, And how the Satyrs spend the day; The fishes gliding on the sands, Offering their bellies to your hands. The birds, with heavenly-tuned throats, Possess wood's echo with sweet notes, Which to your senses will impart A music to enflame the heart. Upon the bare and leafless oak, The ring-dove's wooings will provoke A colder blood than you possess To play with me, and do no less. In bowers of laurel, trimly dight, We will outwear the silent night, While Flora busy is to spread Her richest treasure on our bed. Ten thousand glow-worms shall attend, And all their sparkling lights shall spend, All to adorn and beautify Your lodging with more majesty. Then in my arms will I enclose Lilies fair mixture with the rose; Whose nice perfections in Love's play Shall tune me to the highest key. Thus as we pass the welcome night, In sportful pleasure and delight, The nimble Fairies on the ground, Shall dance and sing melodious sounds, If these may serve for to entice Your presence to Love's Paradise, Then come with me, and be my dear, And we will strait begin the year.