Thus with unwearied wings I flee Through all love's gardens and his fields; And, like the wise, industrious bee, No weed but honey to me yields! Honey still spent this diligence still supplies, Though I return not home with laden thighs. My soul at first indeed did prove Of pretty strength against a dart, Till I this habit got of love; But my consumed and wasted heart, Once burnt to tinder with a strong desire, Since that, by every spark is set on fire. THE CONSTANT. GREAT and wise conqueror, who, where'er Thou comest, dost fortify, and settle there! Who canst defend as well as get, And never hadst one quarter beat up yet; Had thy charming strength been less, In spite both of thy coldness and thy pride, Close, narrow chain, yet soft and kind As that which spirits above to good does bind, Gentle and sweet Necessity, Which does not force, but guide, our liberty! Your love on me were spent in vain, Since my love still could but remain Just as it is; but what, alas! can be Added to that which hath infinity Both in extent and quality. HER NAME. WITH more than Jewish reverence as yet When, ye kind stars, ah when will it be fit This gentle mystery to reveal? When will our love be named, and we possess So bold as yet no verse of mine has been, Nor, till the happy nuptial Muse be seen, Rest, mighty name! till then; for thou must be Then all the fields and woods shall with it ring; Then all the birds in several notes shall sing, Then every wind the sound shall upwards bear, And softly whisper 't to some angel's ear. Then shall thy name through all my verse be spread, Thick as the flowers in meadows lie, And, when in future times they shall be read (As sure, I think, they will not die) If any critic doubt that they be mine, Men by that stamp shall quickly know the coin. Meanwhile I will not dare to make a name Adam (God's nomenclator) could not frame WEEPING. SEE where she sits, and in what comely wise Nor know the beauty of thy tears; For she'll still come to dress herself in thee. As stars reflect on waters, so I spy. In every drop, methinks, her eye. The baby, which lives there, and always plays Like a Narcissus does appear, Whilst in his flood the lovely boy did gaze. Ne'er yet did I behold so glorious weather, Pray Heaven her forehead, that pure hill of snow, (For some such fountain we must find, To waters of so fair a kind) Melt not, to feed that beauteous stream below! VOL. JI. H Ah, mighty Love! that it were inward heat DISCRETION. DISCREET! what means this word discreet? Jointure, portion, gold, estate, Houses, household-stuff, or land (The low conveniencies of Fate), Are Greek no lovers understand. Believe me, beauteous one! when love The two first things it does remove Passion's half blind, nor can endure Men in such tempests toss'd about, As well might martyrs, who do choose Mourn for the clothes which they must lose, THE WAITING MAID. THY Maid! ah! find some nobler theme Alas! she makes thee shine so fair, So exquisitely bright, That her dim lamp must disappear Before thy potent light. Three hours each morn in dressing thee Maliciously are spent ; And make that beauty tyranny, The' adorning thee with so much art The ministering angels none can see; |