Poetical Works of Edmund Waller and Sir John Denham

Peace, Babbling Muse!

1 Peace, babbling Muse!
    I dare not sing what you indite;
  Her eyes refuse
    To read the passion which they write.
  She strikes my lute, but, if it sound,
  Threatens to hurl it on the ground;
  And I no less her anger dread,
  Than the poor wretch that feigns him dead,
  While some fierce lion does embrace
  His breathless corpse, and lick his face;
  Wrapp’d up in silent fear he lies,
  Torn all in pieces if he cries.