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MS. Fairfax 4o. 263 
THE RECREATIONS OF MY SOLITUDE 
AUG |e 
THE SOLITUDE 
O how I loue these Solitudes 
And places silent as the Night 
Ther wher noe thronging multituds 
Disturbe wt' noyse ther sweet delight 
O how myn eyes are pleas’d to see 
Oakes that such spreadinge branches beare 
W from old Time’s netiuity 
And th’enuy of so many yeares 
Are still greene beautifull & faire 
As att the world’s first day they were 
Naught but the highest twiggs of all 
Wher Zephyrus doth wanton play 
Doe yett presage ther future fall 
Or shew a signe of ther decay 
Times past Fawnes Satyrs Demy-Gods 
Hither retird to seeke for Aide 
When Heauen wt» Earth was soe att odds 
As Jupiter in rage had laide 
O’re all a Deluge these high woods 
Preseru’d them from the sweling floods 
Ther vnder a flowry Thorne alonge 
Of Springs delightfull plant the Cheife 
Sadd Philomela’s mournfull songe 
Doth sweetly entertaine my greefe 
And to behold is noe less rare 
These hanging Rocks & Precepies 
W= to the wounds of sadd dispare 
Are soe propitious to giue ease 
When soe oprest by cruel fate 
Death’s sought for att another gate 
