Encouragements to a Lover
John Suckling · 1646
Public domain
From The Golden Treasury, selected by Francis Turner Palgrave. John Suckling. The text is free of copyright in the United States. This copy is the poem, without the Project Gutenberg header.
Why so pale and wan, fond lover?
Prythee, why so pale?
Will, if looking well can't move her,
Looking ill prevail?
Prythee, why so pale?
Why so dull and mute, young sinner?
Prythee, why so mute?
Will, when speaking well can't win her,
Saying nothing do't?
Prythee, why so mute?
Quit, quit for shame! This will not move,
This cannot take her;
If of herself she will not love,
Nothing can make her:
The D----l take her!