Herbert J.C. Grierson, ed. (1886–1960). Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the 17th C. 1921.

(c. 1583–c. 1643) Aurelian Townshend

Loves Victory

VICTORIOUS beauty, though your eyes

Are able to subdue an hoast,

And therefore are unlike to boast

The taking of a little prize,

Do not a single heart dispise.

It came alone, but yet so arm’d

With former love, I durst have sworne

That where a privy coat was worne,

With characters of beauty charm’d,

Thereby it might have scapt unharm’d.

But neither steele nor stony breast

Are proofe against those lookes of thine,

Nor can a Beauty lesse divine

Of any heart be long possest,

Where thou pretend’st an interest.

Thy Conquest in regard of me

Alasse is small, but in respect

Of her that did my Love protect,

Were it divulged, deserv’d to be

Recorded for a Victory.

And such a one, as some that view

Her lovely face perhaps may say,

Though you have stolen my heart away,

If all your servants prove not true,

May steale a heart or two from you.