Diaphenia

H. Constable

          
        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 lambs   
        Are beloved of their dams;         
      How blest were I if thou wouldst prove me.   
         
        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 flower  
        Loves the sun's life-giving power;   
      For dead, thy breath to life might move me.   
         
        Diaphenia like to all things blessèd   
        When all thy praises are expressèd,   
      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!