Poem by Henry Constable

Damelus' Song to Diaphenia

DIAPHENIA, like the daffadowndilly,
White as the sun, fair as the lily,
    Heigh ho, how I do love thee! 
I do love thee as my lambs
Are belovëd of their dams--
    How blest were I if thou wouldst prove me!

Diaphenia, like the spreading roses,
That in thy sweets all sweets incloses,
    Fair sweet, how I do love thee! 
I do love thee as each flower
Loves the sun's life-giving power,
    For, dead, thy breath to life might move me.

Diaphenia, like to all things blessed,
When all thy praises are expressëd,
    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!

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3. H.C. to the Gentleman Reader
4. To the Blessed Sacrament
5. My Lady’s Presence Makes the Roses Red

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