Thomas Campion Quotes

Yet I would not die a maid, because I had a mother, As I was by one brought forth, I would bring forth another.

Fain would I wed a fair young man that night and day could please me, When my mind or body grieved that had the power to ease me. Maids are full of longing thoughts that breed a bloodless sickness, And that, oft I hear men say, is only cured by quickness.

There is a garden in her face, Where roses and white lilies grow, A heavenly paradise is that place, Wherein all pleasant fruits do flow. There cherries grow, which none may buy Till ‘Cherry ripe!’ themselves do cry.

I care not for these ladies that must be wooed and prayed. Give me kind Amaryllis, the wanton country maid.

As her lute doth live or die, Led by her passion, so must I: For when of pleasure she doth sing, My thoughts enjoy a sudden spring, But if she doth of sorrow speak, Ev’n from my heart the strings do break.

My sweetest Lesbia, let us live and love, And though the sager sort our deeds reprove, Let us not weigh them. Heaven’s great lamps do dive Into their west, and straight again revive, But soon as once set is our little light, Then must we sleep one ever-during night.