Cease, Warring Thoughts

(Excerpt from "The Triumph of Beauty")

Original Text

James Shirley, The Trivmph of beavtie (London: Humphrey Mosely, 1646).

1Cease, warring thoughts, and let his brain

2No more discord entertain,

3But be smooth and calm again.

4Ye crystal rivers that are nigh,

5As your streams are passing by,

6Teach your murmurs harmony.

7Ye winds that wait upon the spring,

8And perfumes to flowers do bring,

9Let your amorous whispers here

10Breathe soft music to his ear.

11Ye warbling nightingales repair

12From every wood to charm this air,

13And with the wonders of your breast

14Each striving to excel the rest.

15 When it is time to wake him, close your parts,

16 And drop down from the trees with broken hearts.

Publication Start Year

1646

RPO poem Editors

N. J. Endicott

RPO Edition

2RP.1.247; RPO 1996-2000.

Rhyme