Amanda, a sacrifice to an unknown goddesse, or, A free-will offering of a loving heart to a sweet-heart by N.H. of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge
Hookes, Nicholas, 1628-1712., Drayton, Michael, 1563-1631. England's heroical epistles. Latin & English. Selections.
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To Amanda walking abroad.
COme, come, Amanda, hand in hand wee'l walk
Heark how the birds of Love and Cupid talk
As if they lately had been drinking wine,
Each chirps a dialogue to his Valentine:
Nay, to their downie breasted Ladies yet,
At yon clear Crystal spring they'r bibbing it,
As if all bowles too narrow-belli'd were,
And cups too shallow, with a heartie prayer.
Health afret health, each to his plumie lasse
Carowseth in the brook, and scornes the glasse,
Nay, and as if they fear'd to drink it dry,
The hot cock-sparrow doth still, Fill it, cry;
See how to's Mistris with his tipling bill,
The Nightingal doth sweetly jugge it still!
That pretty Linnet seems to drink to me,
I'le pledge thy health, Amanda, kissing thee.
And whil'st those feather'd lovers water sip,
I'le quaffe the Orleans-claret of thy lip,
And suck those bloody mulberries in,
Till like that fruit my lips seem'd stain'd with sinne;
Then sinne in 'ts blush shall make me more devout,
I'le kisse and sinne, and sinne a pardon out;
For thou 'rt so chaste, that who once kisse thee may,
In that one kisse wipes all his sinne away;
Though blasphemie and murther it remit,
Page 49Pope Ioans Indulgence doth come short of it,
'Tis Heaven it self, and on that lip to dwell
Is to be sainted; of no greater hell
Can lovers dream, no greater sin commit
Then to leave kissing, and to part with it.
