Diaphenia
by Henry Chettle (c. 1560-c. 1607)
Diaphenia, like the daffodowndilly,
White as the sun, fair as the lily,
Heigh ho, how I do love thee!
I do love thee as my lambs
Are beloved of their dams;
How blest were I if thou wouldst prove me!
Diaphenia, like the spreading roses,
That in thy sweets all sweets encloses,
Fair sweet, how I do love thee!
I do love thee as each flower
Loves the sun’s live-giving power,
For, dead, thy breath to live might move me.
Diaphenia, like to all things blessèd,
When all thy praises are expressèd,
Dear joy, how I do love thee!
As the birds do love the spring,
Or the bees their careful king:
Then in requite, sweet virgin, love me!
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For the tenth time, dull Daphnis, said Chloe
You’ve told me my bosom is snowy
You’ve made much fine verse on
Each part of my person
Now *do* something, that’s a good boy!
— George Legman claims this is a favorite of his wife