| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Alexander Brome. 1620–1666 |
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| 354. The Resolve |
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| TELL me not of a face that 's fair, | |
| Nor lip and cheek that 's red, | |
| Nor of the tresses of her hair, | |
| Nor curls in order laid, | |
| Nor of a rare seraphic voice | 5 |
| That like an angel sings; | |
| Though if I were to take my choice | |
| I would have all these things: | |
| But if that thou wilt have me love, | |
| And it must be a she, | 10 |
| The only argument can move | |
| Is that she will love me. | |
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| The glories of your ladies be | |
| But metaphors of things, | |
| And but resemble what we see | 15 |
| Each common object brings. | |
| Roses out-red their lips and cheeks, | |
| Lilies their whiteness stain; | |
| What fool is he that shadows seeks | |
| And may the substance gain? | 20 |
| Then if thou'lt have me love a lass, | |
| Let it be one that 's kind: | |
| Else I'm a servant to the glass | |
| That 's with Canary lined. | |
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