A Ditty
by John Lyly
Spelling Modernized
Behold her locks like wires of beaten gold,
her eyes like stars that twinkle in the sky,
Her heavenly face not framed of earthly mold,
Her voice that sounds Apollos melody,
The miracle of time, the whole world's story,
Fortune's Queen, Life's treasure, Nature's glory.
No flattering hope she likes, blind Fortunes bait
nor shadows of delight, fond fancies glass,
Nor charms that do enchant, false arts' deceit,
nor fading joys, which time makes swiftly pas
But chased desires which beateth all these down ;
A Goddess' look is worth a Monarch's crown.
Goddess and Monarch of this happy Isle,
vouchsafe this bow which is an huntress part :
Your eyes are arrows though they seem to smile
which never glanced but gall (1) the stateliest hart,
Strike one, strike all, for none at all can fly,
They gaze you in the face although they die.
(1) gall- v. to make sore by chafing or rubbing.
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