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!