Diaphenia
by Henry Chettle (c. 1560-c. 1607)
Diaphenia, like the daffodowndilly,
White as the sun, fair as the lily,
Heigh ho, how I do love thee!
I do love thee as my lambs
Are beloved of their dams;
How blest were I if thou wouldst prove me!
Diaphenia, like the spreading roses,
That in thy sweets all sweets encloses,
Fair sweet, how I do love thee!
I do love thee as each flower
Loves the sun’s live-giving power,
For, dead, thy breath to live might move me.
Diaphenia, like to all things blessèd,
When all thy praises are expressèd,
Dear joy, how I do love thee!
As the birds do love the spring,
Or the bees their careful king:
Then in requite, sweet virgin, love me!
For the tenth time, dull Daphnis, said Chloe
You’ve told me my bosom is snowy
You’ve made much fine verse on
Each part of my person
Now *do* something, that’s a good boy!
— George Legman claims this is a favorite of his wife