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Iohn Dowland

VI. When Phoebus first did Daphne loue.

      When Phoebus first did Daphne loue,
      And no meanes might her fauour moue,
      He crau'd the cause, the cause quoth she
      Is, I haue vow'd virginitie.
      Then in a rage he sware, and said,
      Past fifteene none but one should liue a maid.
     
      If maidens then shal chance be sped
      Ere they can scarsly dresse their head,
      Yet pardon them, for they be loth
      To make good Phoebus breake his oth.
      And better twere a child were borne,
      Then that a god should be forsworne.