CAMELOT FANTASIES

Damelus' Song to Diaphenia


by Henry Constable (1562-1613).




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 belovëd of their dams—
How blest were I if thou wouldst prove me!

 Diaphenia, like the spreading roses,
 That in thy sweets all sweets incloses,
 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 blessed,
 When all thy praises are expressëd,
 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!