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!