Rosemary
2
From Poly-Olbion by Michael Drayton
chosen by Elise
BRITAIN, behold here portray'd to thy sight
Henry, thy best hope, and the world's delight ;
Ordain'd to make thy eight Great Henries nine :
Who, by that virtue of the treble Trine,
To his own goodness (in his being) brings
These several Glories* of th' eight English Kings :
1 Deep knowledge, 2 Greatness, 3 Long life, 4 Policy,
5 Courage, 6 Zeal, 7 Fortune, 8 Awful Majesty.
He like great Neptune on three Seas shall rove,
And ride three Realms, with triple power, like Jove.
Thus in soft peace, thus in tempestuous wars,
Till from his foot his fame shall strike the stars.
SONNET XVII by Samuel Daniel
chosen by Peter
Why should I sing in verse, why should I frame
These sad neglected notes for her deare sake
Why should I offer up unto her name,
The sweetest sacrifice my youth can make
Why should I strive to make her live for ever,
That never deignes to give me joy to live?
Why should m'afflicted Muse so much endevour,
Such honour unto cruelty to give
If her defects have purchast her this fame,
What should her vertues doe, her smiles, her love?
If this her worst, how shou'd her best inflame
What passions would her milder favours move
Favours (I thinke) would sense quite overcome,
And that makes happy Lovers ever dombe.