The Works of Sir John Suckling in prose and verse/On New-Year’s Day, 1640. To the King

by John Suckling

POEMS

ON NEW-YEAR'S DAY, 1640. TO THE KING

1

⁠Awake, great sir, the sun shines here,

⁠Gives all your subjects a New-Year;
⁠Only we stay till you appear,
For thus by us your power is understood,
He may make fair days, you must make them good.5
⁠Awake, awake,
⁠And take
⁠Such presents as poor men can make;
⁠They can add little unto bliss
⁠Who cannot wish.10

2

⁠May no ill vapour cloud the sky,

⁠Bold storms invade the sovereignty,
⁠But gales of joy, so fresh, so high,
That you may think Heav'n sent to try this year
What sail, or burthen, a king's mind could bear.15
⁠Awake, awake, etc.

3

⁠May all the discords in your state

⁠(Like those in music we create)
⁠Be govern'd at so wise a rate,
That what would of itself sound harsh, or fright,20
May be so temper'd that it may delight.
⁠Awake, awake, etc.

4

⁠What conquerors from battles find,

⁠Or lovers when their doves are kind,
⁠Take up henceforth our master's mind,25
Make such strange rapes upon the place, 't may be
No longer joy there, but an ecstasy.
⁠Awake, awake, etc.

5

⁠May every pleasure and delight,

⁠That has or does your sense invite,30
⁠Double this year, save those o' th' night:
For such a marriage-bed must know no more
Than repetition of what was before.
⁠Awake, awake,
⁠And take35
⁠Such presents as poor men can make;
⁠They can add little unto bliss
⁠Who cannot wish.