Nature

Speak, Thou Fairest Fair

by John Fletcher 1576–1625

From Lyrics from the Dramatists of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1889)

Nature

Dearest, do not you delay me,
Since, thou knowest, I must be gone;
Wind and tide, 'tis thought, doth stay me,
But 'tis wind that must be blown
From that breath, whose native smell
Indian odours far excel.

Oh, then speak, thou fairest fair!

Kill not him that vows to serve thee;
But perfume this neighbouring air,
Else dull silence, sure, will sterve me:
'Tis a word that's quickly spoken,
Which being restrained, a heart is broken.

MLA

Fletcher, John. “Speak, Thou Fairest Fair.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/fletcher_j/36/.

Chicago

Fletcher, John. “Speak, Thou Fairest Fair.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/fletcher_j/36/.

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