Henry Constable[1562-1613]Diaphenia
¶DIAPHENIA like the daffadowndilly,White as the sun, fair as the lily,Heigh ho, how I do love thee!I do love thee as my lambsAre beloved of their dams;How blest were I if thou would'st prove me.[229]Diaphenia like the spreading roses,That in thy sweets all sweets encloses,Fair sweet, how I do love thee!I do love thee as each flowerLoves the sun's life-giving power;For dead, thy breath to life might move me.
¶Diaphenia like to all things blessed,When all thy praises are expressed.Dear joy, how I do love thee!As the birds do love the spring.Or the bees their careful king:Then in requite, sweet virgin, love me!