| John Donne (1572–1631). The Poems of John Donne. 1896. | | | | Appendix A. Doubtful Poems | | Fortune never Fails |
| | | WHAT if I come to my mistress’ bed, | |
| The candles all eclipsed from shining? | |
| Shall I then attempt for her maiden-head, | |
| Or show myself a coward by declining? | |
| Oh no, | 5 |
| Fie, do not so; | |
| For thus much I know by divining, | |
| Blind is Love, | |
| The dark it doth approve | |
| To prey on pleasures panting; | 10 |
| What needs light | |
| For Cupid in the night, | |
| If jealous eyes be wanting? | |
| |
| Fortune never fails, if she bids take place, | |
| To second all the fair proceedings; | 15 |
| Love and she, though blind, yet each other embrace | |
| To favour all their servants’ meetings. | |
| Venture, I say, | |
| To sport and play, | |
| If in place all be fitting; | 20 |
| Though she say “Fie,” | |
| Yet doth she not deny, | |
| For “Fie” is but a word of trial. | |
| Jealousy doth sleep; | |
| Then do not weep | 25 |
| At force of a fair denial. | |
| |
| Glorious is my love, worth triumphs in her face; | |
| Then too-too bold were I to venture. | |
| Who loves, deserves to live in a princess’ grace; | |
| Why stand you then afraid to enter? | 30 |
| Lights are all out, | |
| Then make no doubt, | |
| A woer boldly may take a choosing. | |
| Beauty is a bait | |
| For a princely mate. | 35 |
| Fie, why stand you then a musing? | |
| You’ll repent too late, | |
| If she do you hate | |
| For love’s delights refusing. | | | | |
|
|
