Winter Nights

Two Venitian Ladies  Vittore Carpaccio

Now Winter Nights Enlarge

by Thomas Campion

Now winter nights enlarge 

This number of their hours; 

And clouds their storms discharge 

Upon the airy towers.

Let now the chimneys blaze 

And cups o'erflow with wine, 

Let well-tuned words amaze 

With harmony divine... 

This time doth well dispense 

With lovers' long discourse; 

Much speech hath some defense, 

Though beauty no remorse. 

All do not all things well:

Some measures comely tread, 

Some knotted riddles tell, 

Some poems smoothly read. 

The summer hath his joys, 

And winter his delights; 

Though love and all his pleasures are but toys 

 They shorten tedious nights.