Song: “You charm’d me not with that fair face” by John Dryden

from An Evening's Love
You charm'd me not with that fair face
      Though it was all divine:
To be another's is the grace,
      That makes me wish you mine.

   The Gods and Fortune take their part
      Who like young monarchs fight;
And boldly dare invade that heart
      Which is another's right.

   First mad with hope we undertake
      To pull up every bar;
But once possess'd, we faintly make
      A dull defensive war.

   Now every friend is turn'd a foe
      In hope to get our store:
And passion makes us cowards grow,
      Which made us brave before.

 

More from John Dryden:

• Song: Fair Iris I love and hourly I die
• A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day, 1687
• Song from The Indian Emperor
• A Song from the Italian from Limberham: or, the Kind Keeper
• Song to a Fair Young Lady Going out of Town in the Spring
• Song: “Why should a foolish marriage vow”