Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/259

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THOMAS DEKKER

1575-1641


204. Sweet Content

Art thou poor, yet hast thou golden slumbers?
          O sweet content!
Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplex'd?
          O punishment!
Dost thou laugh to see how fools are vex'd
To add to golden numbers golden numbers?
    O sweet content! O sweet, O sweet content!
Work apace, apace, apace, apace;
Honest labour bears a lovely face;
Then hey nonny nonny—hey nonny nonny!

Canst drink the waters of the crispèd spring?
          O sweet content!
Swim'st thou in wealth, yet sink'st in thine own tears?
          O punishment!
Then he that patiently want's burden bears,
No burden bears, but is a king, a king!
    O sweet content! O sweet, O sweet content!
Work apace, apace, apace, apace;
Honest labour bears a lovely face;
Then hey nonny nonny—hey nonny nonny!



THOMAS HEYWOOD

157?-1650


205. Matin Song

Pack, clouds, away! and welcome, day!
  With night we banish sorrow.
Sweet air, blow soft; mount, lark, aloft
  To give my Love good-morrow!