Astrophil and Stella
Song 4

Only joy, now here you are,
Fit to hear and ease my care,
Let my whispering voice obtain
Sweet reward for sharpest pain;
Take me to thee, and thee to me:
No, no, no, no, my dear, let be. 

Night hath closed all in her cloak,
Twinkling stars love-thoughts provoke,
Danger hence, good care doth keep,
Jealousy himself doth sleep;
Take me to thee, and thee to me:
No, no, no, no, my dear, let be. 

Better place no wit can find,
Cupid's knot to loose or bind;
These sweet flowers our fine bed too,
Us in their best language woo:
Take me to thee, and thee to ee:
No, no, no, no, my dear, let be. 

This small light the moon bestows
Serves thy beams but to disclose;
So to raise my hap more high,
Fear not else, none us can spy;
Take me to thee, and thee to me:
No, no, no, no, my dear, let be. 

That you heard was but a mouse,
Dumb sleep holdeth all the house:
Yet asleep, me thinks they say,
Young fools take time while you may;
Take me to thee, and thee to me:
No, no, no, no, my dear, let be. 

Niggard time threats, if we miss
This large offer of our bliss,
Long stay, ere he grant the same:
Sweet, then, while each thing doth frame,
Take me to thee, and thee to me:
No, no, no, no, my dear, let be. 

Your fair mother is abed,
Candles out and curtains spread;
She thinks you do letters write;
Write, but first let me endite;
Take me to thee, and thee to me:
No, no, no, no, my dear, let be. 

Sweet, alas, why strive you thus?
Concord better fitteth us;
Leave to Mars the force of hands,
Your power in your beauty stands;
Take me to thee, and thee to me:
No, no, no, no, my dear, let be. 

Woe to me, and do you swear
Me to hate, but I forbear?
Cursed be my destinies all,
That brought me so high to fall;
Soon with my death I will please thee:
No, no, no, no, my dear, let be. 


Sir Philip Sidney

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