Ben Jonson: The Triumph of Charis

Lyrics

See the chariot at hand here of Love Wherein my lady rideth! Each that draws is a swan or a dove And well the car Love guideth As she goes, all hearts do duty Unto her beauty; And enamour'd, do wish, so they might But enjoy such a sight That they still were to run by her side Through swords, through seas, whither she would ride Do but look on her eyes, they do light All that Love's world compriseth! Do but look on her hair, it is bright As Love's star when it riseth! Do but mark, her forehead's smoother Than words that soothe her; And from her arched brows, such a grace Sheds itself through the face As alone there triumphs to the life All the gain, all the good, of the elements' strife Have you seen but a bright lily grow Before rude hands have touch'd it? Ha' you mark'd but the fall o' the snow Before the soil hath smutch'd it? Ha' you felt the wool o' the beaver? Or swan's down ever? Or have smelt o' the bud o' the briar? Or the nard in the fire? Or have tasted the bag of the bee? Oh so white! Oh so soft! Oh so sweet is she!