The Scrutinie. Song. Set by Mr. Thomas Charles

I.
Why shouldst thou<38.2> sweare I am forsworn,
  Since thine I vow'd to be?
Lady, it is already Morn,
  And 'twas last night I swore to thee
  That fond impossibility.

                    II.
Have I not lov'd thee much and long,
  A tedious twelve moneths<38.3> space?
I should<38.4> all other beauties wrong,
  And rob thee of a new imbrace;
  Should<38.5> I still dote upon thy face.

                    III.
Not but all joy in thy browne haire
  In<38.6> others may be found;
But I must search the black and faire,
  Like skilfulle minerallists that sound
  For treasure in un-plow'd-up<38.7> ground.

                    IV.
Then if, when I have lov'd my<38.8> round,
  Thou prov'st the pleasant she;
With spoyles<38.9> of meaner beauties crown'd,
  I laden will returne to thee,
  Ev'n sated with varietie.

<38.1> This poem appears in WITS INTERPRETER, by John Cotgrave, ed. 1662, p. 214, under the title of "On his Mistresse, who unjustly taxed him of leaving her off."

<38.2> So Cotgrave. LUCASTA reads SHOULD YOU.

<38.3> So Cotgrave. This is preferable to HOURS, the reading in LUCASTA.

<38.4> So Cotgrave. LUCASTA reads MUST.

<38.5> So Cotgrave. LUCASTA has COULD.

<38.6> So Cotgrave. LUCASTA reads BY.

<38.7> UNBIDDEN—Cotgrave.

<38.8> THEE—Cotgrave.

<38.9> IN SPOIL—Cotgrave.