To His Love When He Had Obtained Her

Now Serena be not coy,

Since we freely may enjoy

Sweet embraces, such delights,

As will shorten tedious nights.

Think that beauty will not stay

With you always, but away,

And that tyrannizing face

That now holds such perfect grace

Will both changed and ruined be;

So frail is all things as we see,

So subject unto conquering Time.

Then gather flowers in their prime,

Let them not fall and perish so;

Nature her bounties did bestow

On us that we might use them, and

'Tis coldness not to understand

What she and youth and form persuade

With opportunity that's made

As we could wish it. Let's, then, meet

Often with amorous lips, and greet

Each other till our wanton kisses

In number pass the day Ulysses

Consumed in travel, and the stars

That look upon our peaceful wars

With envious luster. If this store

Will not suffice, we'll number o'er

The same again, until we find

No number left to call to mind

And show our plenty. They are poor

That can count all they have and more.