Wine, No. 39

False the tongue and foul with slander, Poisonous treacherous tongue of pander, Tongue the hangman's knife should sever, Tongue in flames to burn for ever;

Which hath called me a deceiver, Faithless lover, quick to leave her, Whom I love, and leave her slighted, For another, unrequited!

Hear, ye Muses nine! nay, rather, Jove, of gods and men the father! Who for Danae and Europa Changed thy shape, thou bold eloper!

Hear me, god! ye gods all, hear me! Such a sin came never near me. Hear, thou god! and gods all, hear ye! Thus I sinned not, as I fear ye.

I by Mars vow, by Apollo, Both of whom Love's learning follow; Yea, by Cupid too, the terror Of whose bow forbids all error!

By thy bow I vow and quiver, By the shafts thou dost deliver, Without fraud, in honour duly To observe my troth-plight truly.

I will keep the troth I plighted, And the reason shall be cited: 'Tis that 'mid the girls no maiden Ever met I more love-laden.

'Mid the girls thou art beholden Like a pearl in setting golden; Yea, thy shoulder, neck, and bosom Bear of beauty's self the blossom.

Oh, her throat, lips, forehead, nourish Love, with food that makes him flourish! And her curls, I did adore them— They were blonde with heaven's light o'er them.

Therefore, till, for Nature's scorning, Toil is rest and midnight morning, Till no trees in woods are growing, Till fire turns to water flowing;

Till seas have no ships to sail them, Till the Parthians' arrows fail them, I, my girl, will love thee ever, Unbetrayed, betray thee never!