• A Youth in apparel that glittered
    Went to walk in a grim forest.
    There he met an assassin
    Attired all in garb of old days;
    He, scowling through the thickets,
    And dagger poised quivering,
    Rushed upon the youth.
    “Sir,” said this latter,
    “I am enchanted, believe me.
    To die thus,
    In this mediæval fashion,
    ...

  • From “Farewell to Follie,” 1617
    SWEET are the thoughts that savor of content;
      The quiet mind is richer than a crown;
    Sweet are the nights in careless slumber spent,—
      The poor estate scorns Fortune’s angry frown:
    Such sweet content, such minds, such sleep, such bliss,
    Beggars enjoy, when princes oft do miss.

    The homely house that...

  • She's happy, with a new Content —

    That feels to her — like Sacrament —

    She's busy — with an altered Care —

    As just apprenticed to the Air —


    She's tearful — if she weep at all —

    For blissful Causes — Most of all

    That Heaven permit so meek as her —

    To such a Fate — to Minister.

    ...