| John Dryden (1631–1700). The Poems of John Dryden. 1913. | | | | Songs from the Plays | | Song of Venus, from King Arthur |
| | 1 FAIREST Isle, all Isles Excelling, | |
| Seat of Pleasure, and of Loves; | |
| Venus here will chuse her Dwelling, | |
| And forsake her Cyprian Groves. | |
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2 Cupid, from his Fav’rite Nation, | 5 |
| Care and Envy will Remove; | |
| Jealousy that poysons Passion, | |
| And Despair that dies for Love. | |
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3 Gentle Murmurs, sweet Complaining, | |
| Sighs that blow the Fire of Love; | 10 |
| Soft Repulses, kind Disdaining, | |
| Shall be all the Pains you prove. | |
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4 Ev’ry Swain shall pay his Duty, | |
| Grateful ev’ry Nymph shall prove; | |
| And as these Excel in Beauty, | 15 |
| Those shall be Renown’d for Love. | | | | |
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