MS. Fairfax 40. 263 



[p. 551 c] The Recreations of my Solitude 



T:F 



[p. 552] THE SOLITUDE 



O how I loue these Solitudes 



And places silent as the Night 



Ther wher noe thronging multituds 



Disturbe w'^^ 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 lirst day they were 



Naught but the highest twiggs of all 

 Wher Zephyrus doth wanton play 

 [p. 553 1 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 w'^ Earth was soe att odds 

 As Jvipiter 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 i:)lant the Cheife 

 Sadd Philomela's mournfuU songe 

 Doth sweetly entertaine my greefe 

 And to behold is noe less rare 

 jp. 554 1 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 



