Classic Poem

C RESSUS : was the ffairest of Troye,
whom Troylus did loue!
the Kn igh t was kind, & shee was coy,
no words nor worthes cold moue,
till Pindaurus soe playd his p ar t
tha t the K night obtained her hart,
the Ladyes rose destroyes:
[They] held sweet warr a winters night
till the enuyous day gaue light;
w hi ch darkness louers ioyes.

Cresses loue loues mother crost,
fforetold her in a dreame
how Grecyans won, how Troians Lost.
ffalse loue ffleetes w i th the streame:
Shee sweete ffaces, vallyant ffights,
who put downe the Troian knights,
downe might their Ladyes put.
dioned thought her noe mayd,
yett loues debt was richely paid,
the seas the poorest cutt.

Lasses, learne some witt by this!
though Ladyes truth p ro ffesse,
no signe remaines of vnseen kisse
vnlesse a ffoole conffesse
what pleased to-day, to-morrow cloyes;
Ioy growes dull tha t still enioyes;
change loue, for loues sweet sake.
now hopes pleased w i th pleasure strange;
then chang loue, w i th garments change,
& still the better take.

Forward ! Hark forward's the cry!
One more fence and we're out on the open,
So to us at once, if you want to live near us!
Hark to them, ride to them, beauties! as on they go,
Leaping and sweeping away in the vale below!
Cowards and bunglers, whose heart or whose eye is slow,
Find themselves staring alone.

So the great cause flashes by;
Nearer and clearer its purposes open,
While louder and prouder the world-echoes cheer us:
Gentlemen sportsmen, you ought to live up to us,
Lead us, and lift us, and hallo our game to us —
We cannot call the hounds off, and no shame to us —
Don't be left staring alone!