Bridal Song

COMFORTS lasting, loves increasing,

Like soft hours never ceasing:

Plenty's pleasure, peace complying,

Without jars, or tongues envying;

Hearts by holy union wedded,

More than theirs by custom bedded;

Fruitful issues; life so graced,

Not by age to be defaced,

Budding, as the year ensu'th,

Every spring another youth:

All what thought can add beside

Crown this bridegroom and this bride!

John Ford

Dirge

GLORIES, pleasures, pomps, delights, and ease,

  Can but please

The outward senses, when the mind

Is untroubled or by peace refined.

Crowns may flourish and decay,

Beauties shine, but fade away.

Youth may revel, yet it must

Lie down in a bed of dust.

Earthly honours flow and waste,

Time alone doth change and last.

Sorrows mingled with contents prepare

  Rest for care;

Love only reigns in death; though art

Can find no comfort for a broken heart.

John Ford