THE FAIR FELON

by: James Shirley

      N Love's name you are charged hereby
      To make a speedy hue and cry,
      After a face, who t'other day,
      Came and stole my heart away;
      For your directions in brief
      These are best marks to know the thief:
      Her hair a net of beams would prove,
      Strong enough to capture Jove,
      Playing the eagle; her clear brow
      Is a comely field of snow.
      A sparkling eye, so pure a gray
      As when it shines it needs no day.
      Ivory dwelleth on her nose;
      Lilies, married to the rose,
      Have made her cheek the nuptial bed;
      Her lips betray their virgin red,
      As they only blushed for this,
      That they one another kiss.
      But observe, beside the rest,
      You shall know this felon best
      By her tongue; for if your ear
      Shall know this felon best
      By her tongue; for if your ear
      Shall once a heavenly music hear,
      Such as neither gods nor men
      But from that voice shall hear again,
      That, that is she, oh, take her t'ye,
      None can rock heaven asleep but she.

'The Fair Felon' was originally published in The Witty Fair One (1633).

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