Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather.
W. Shakespeare
viii
It was a lover and his lass
With a hey and a ho, and a hey-nonino!
That o'er the green cornfield did pass
In the spring time, tlie only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing hey ding a ding:
Sweet lovers love the Spring.
Between the acres of the rye
These pretty country folks would lie:
This carol they began that hour,
How that life was but a flower:
And therefore take the present time
With a hey and a ho and a hey-nonino!
For love is crowned with the prime
In spring lime, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing hey ding a ding:
Sweet lovers love the Spring.
W. Shakespeare
ix
PRESENT IN ABSENCE
Absence, hear thou my protestation
Against thy strength.
Distance, and length;
Do what thou canst for alteration:
For hearts of truest mettle
Absence doth join, and Time doth settle.
Who loves a mistress of such quality,
He soon hath found
Affection's ground
Beyond time, place, and all mortality.
To hearts that cannot vary
Absence is Presence, Time doth tarry.