V.
UNFADING BEAUTY.
This little beautiful sonnet is reprinted from a small volume of "_Poems_ by _Thomas Carew_, Esq. one of the gentlemen of the privie-chamber, and sewer in ordinary to his majesty (Charles I.) Lond. 1640." This elegant, and almost-forgotten writer, whose poems have been deservedly revived, died in the prime of his age, in 1639.
In the original follows a third stanza; which, not being of general application, nor of equal merit, I have ventured to omit.
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[Dr. Rimbault informs us that the original music was composed by Henry Lawes, and is included in his _Ayres and Dialogues for one, two and three Voyces_, 1653.]
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Hee, that loves a rosie cheeke, Or a corall lip admires, Or from star-like eyes doth seeke Fuell to maintaine his fires, As old time makes these decay, 5 So his flames must waste away.
But a smooth and stedfast mind, Gentle thoughts, and calme desires, Hearts with equal love combin'd Kindle never-dying fires: 10 Where these are not I despise Lovely cheekes, or lips, or eyes. * * * * *