Richard Lovelace: The Scrutiny. Song.

Richard Lovelace.

THE SCRUTINIE.
Song.

Set by Mr. Thomas Charles.

I.
WHY should you sweare I am forsworn,
Since thine I vow'd to be ?
Lady it is already Morn,
And 'twas last night I swore to thee
That fond impossibility.

II.
Have I not lov'd thee much and long,
A tedious twelve houres space ?
I must all other Beauties wrong,
And rob thee of a new imbrace ;
Could I still dote upon thy Face.

III.
Not, but all joy in thy browne haire
By others may be found ;
But I must search the black and faire
Like skilfull Minerallist's that sound
For Treasure in un-plow'd-up ground.

IV.
Then, if when I have lov'd my round,
Thou prov'st the pleasant she ;
With spoyles of meaner Beauties crown'd,
I laden will returne to thee,
Ev'n sated with Varietie.

Danae by Rembrandt (1636)

Source:
Lovelace, Richard. The Poems of Richard Lovelace.
London: Unit Library, Ltd., 1904. 25-6.

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