THIRSIS. LALAGE. @3Thir.@1 MY Lalage, when I behold So great a cold, And not a spark of heat in thy desire, I wonder what strange power of thine Kindles in mine So bright a flame, and such a burning fire. @3Lal.@1 Can Thirsis in philosophy A true knight be, And not have learn'd the power of the sun? How he to sublunary things A fervour brings, Yet in himself is subject unto none? @3Thir.@1 But why within thy eyes appear Never a tear, That cause from mine perpetual showers to fall? @3Lal.@1 Fool, 'tis the power of fire, you know, To melt the snow, Yet has no moisture in itself at all. @3Thir.@1 How can I be, dear virgin, show, Both fire and snow? Do you, that are the cause, the reason tell; More than [a] miracle to me It seems to be, That so much heat with so much cold should dwell. @3Lal.@1 The reason I will render thee Why both should be. Audacious Thirsis, in thy love too bold, 'Cause thy sauciness durst aspire To such a fire. Thy love is hot; but 'tis thy hope is cold. @3Thir.@1 Let pity move thy gentle breast To one opprest; This way or that, give ease to my desire, And either let love's fire be lost In hope's cold frost, Or hope's cold frost be warm'd in love's quick fire. @3Lal@1. O, neither, boy, neither of these Shall work thy ease! I'll pay thy rashness with immortal pain: As hope doth strive to freeze thy flame, Love melts the same: As love doth melt it, hope doth freeze't again. @3Thir@1. Come, gentle swains, lend me a groan To ease my moan. @3Chorus@1. Ah, cruel Love, how great a power is thine! Under the poles although we lie, Thou mak'st us fry: And thou canst make us freeze beneath the line. |