Love's Constancy

Love`s Constancy

No more shall meads be deck`d with flow`rs,

Nor sweetness live in rosy bowers,

Nor greenest buds on branches spring,

Nor warbling birds delight to sing,

Nor April violets paint the grove,

When once I leave my Celia`s love.

The fish shall in the ocean burn,

And fountains sweet shall bitter turn;

The humble vale no floods shall know,

When floods shall highest hills o`erflow:

Black Lethe shall oblivion leave,

Before my Celia I deceive.

Love shall his bow and shafts lay by,

And Venus` doves want wings to fly:

The sun refuse to show his light,

And day shall then be turned to night;

And in that night no star appear,

Whene`er I leave my Celia dear.

Love shall no more inhabit Earth,

Nor lovers more shall love for worth;

Nor joy above in Heaven dwell,

Nor pain torment poor souls in hell:

Grim Death no more shall horrid prove,

Whene`er I leave bright Celia`s love.