Jonson. From "The Poetaster" II, iii. 'If I freely may discover'.

Ben Jonson

from

THE POETASTER

Act II, Scene iii.

If I freely may discover
What would please me in my lover,
Iwould have her fair and witty,
Savouring more of court than city ;
A little proud, but full of pity :
Light and humorous in her toying,
Oft building hopes, and soon destroying,
Long, but sweet in the enjoying ;
Neither too easy, nor too hard :
All extremes I would have barr'd.

She should be allowed her passions,
So they were but used as fashions ;
Sometimes froward, and then frowning,
Sometimes sickish, and then swooning,
Every fit with change still crowning.
Purely jealous, I would have her,
Then only constant when I care her :
'Tis a virtue should not save her.
Thus, nor her delicates would cloy me,
Neither her peevishness annoy me.

Source:
The Songs and Poems of Ben Jonson.
London: Philip Allan & Co., 1924. 8.

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