Take, Oh, Take Those Lips Away

By John Fletcher 1579–1625 John Fletcher

Take, oh, take those lips away

That so sweetly were forsworn

And those eyes, like break of day,

Lights that do mislead the morn;

But my kisses bring again,

Seals of love, though sealed in vain.

Hide, oh, hide those hills of snow,

Which thy frozen bosom bears,

On whose tops the pinks that grow

Are of those that April wears;

But first set my poor heart free,

Bound in those icy chains by thee.

Biography

John Fletcher, a highly successful playwright for the Jacobean theater, wrote more than 50 plays, both single-handedly and in collaboration with other playwrights. He was born in Rye, Sussex, the son of a minister. By 1596 his parents had died, leaving behind debts and nine children.

John Fletcher was known for his tragicomedies, and his plays were performed at royal court. Between 1615 and 1642, approximately 40 of the plays . . .

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