| William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910. | | | | The Resolve | | By Alexander Brome (1620–1666) |
| | | TELL me not of a face that’s fair, | |
| Nor lip and cheek that’s red, | |
| Nor of the tresses of her hair, | |
| Nor curls in order laid; | |
| Nor of a rare seraphic voice, | 5 |
| That like an angel sings; | |
| Though, if I were to take my choice, | |
| I would have all these things. | |
| But if that thou wilt have me love, | |
| And it must be a she, | 10 |
| The only argument can move | |
| Is, that she will love me. | |
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| The glories of your ladies be | |
| But metaphors of things, | |
| And but resemble what we see | 15 |
| Each common object brings. | |
| Roses out-red their lips and cheeks, | |
| Lilies their whiteness stain: | |
| What fool is he that shadows seeks, | |
| And may the substance gain! | 20 |
| Then if thou’lt have me love a lass, | |
| Let it be one that’s kind, | |
| Else I’m a servant to the glass | |
| That’s with Canary lined. | | | | |
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