Parnassus biceps. Or Severall choice pieces of poetry, composed by the best wits that were in both the universities before their dissolution. With an epistle in the behalfe of those now doubly secluded and sequestred Members, by one who himselfe is none.

On an aged Gentlewoman.

NO spring nor summers beauty hath such grace As I have seen in one autumnall face. Young beauties force their loves, and thats a rape, Your's doth but counsell, yet they cannot scape: If 'twere a shame to love, here twere no shame, Affection takes here reverences name▪ Were her first years the golden age? thats true; But now she's gold oft tried and ever new: That was her torrid and inflaming time, This is her tolerable tropick clime. Faire eyes, who askes more heat then comes from thence, He in a feaver wishes pestilence. Call not those wrinkles graves, if graves they were They were loves graves, for els they are no where; Yet lies not love dead here, but here doth sit Vowed to this trench like to an Anchoret: And here till her (which must be his) death's He doth not dig a grave, but build a tomb: Here dwells he, though he sojourne every where doom In progresse, yet his standing house is here.

She allwayes evening is, nor noon nor night, Where's no voluptuousnsse, though a delight. Xerxes strange love, the broad-leav'd plantane tree, Was loved for age, none being so large as she Or else because being young, nature did blesse Her youth with ages glory barrennesse. If we love things long sought, age is a thing Which we are sixty years a compassing: If transitory things which soon decay, Age must be loveliest at the latest day. But name not winter-faces, whose skin's slack, Lank like an unthrifts purse, or empty sack; Whose eyes seek light within, for all here's shade, Whose mouth's a hole rather worn out then made, Whose severall tooth to a severall place is gone To vex their soules at the Resurrection: Name not these living deaths-heads unto me, For such not antient, but antiques be. I hate extreams; yet I had rather stay With tombs then cradles to wear out the day: Since that loves naturall motion is▪ may still My love descend and journey down the hill; Not panting after growing beauties, so I shall ebb on with them that homewards go.