Late when love I seem'd to slight

Late when love I seem'd to slight PHYLLIS smil'd as well she might; Now, said she, our throne may tremble, Men our province now invade, Men take up our royal trade, Men, ev'n men, do now dissemble, In the dust our empire's laid.

Tutor'd by the wise and grave, Loath I was to be a slave; Mistress sounded arbitrary; So I chose to hide my flame Friendship, a discreeter name; But she scorns one jot to vary, She will love, or nothing, claim.

Be a lover or pretend, Rather than the warmest friend; Friendship of another kind is, Swedish coin of gross allay, A cart-load will scarce defray; Love, one grain is worth the Indies, Only love is current pay.