Part 23 (1/2)

What smiling star in that fair night Which gave you birth gave me this sight, And with a kind aspect tho' keen Made me the subject, you the queen?

That sparkling planet is got now Into your eyes, and s.h.i.+nes below, Where nearer force and more acute It doth dispense, without dispute; For I who yesterday did know Love's fire no more than doth cool snow, With one bright look am since undone, Yet must adore and seek my sun.

Before I walk'd free as the wind And if but stay'd--like it--unkind; I could like daring eagles gaze And not be blinded by a face; For what I saw till I saw thee, Was only not deformity.

Such shapes appear--compar'd with thine-- In arras, or a tavern-sign, And do but mind me to explore A fairer piece, that is in store.

So some hang ivy to their wine, To signify there is a vine.

Those princely flow'rs--by no storms vex'd-- Which smile one day, and droop the next, The gallant tulip and the rose, Emblems which some use to disclose Bodied ideas--their weak grace Is mere imposture to thy face.

For Nature in all things, but thee, Did practise only sophistry; Or else she made them to express How she could vary in her dress: But thou wert form'd, that we might see Perfection, not variety.

Have you observ'd how the day-star Sparkles and smiles and s.h.i.+nes from far; Then to the gazer doth convey A silent but a piercing ray?

So wounds my love, but that her eyes Are in effects the better skies.

A brisk bright agent from them streams Arm'd with no arrows, but their beams, And with such stillness smites our hearts, No noise betrays him, nor his darts.

He, working on my easy soul, Did soon persuade, and then control; And now he flies--and I conspire-- Through all my blood with wings of fire, And when I would--which will be never-- With cold despair allay the fever, The spiteful thing Etesia names, And that new-fuels all my flames.

THE CHARACTER, TO ETESIA.

Go catch the ph[oe]nix, and then bring A quill drawn for me from his wing.

Give me a maiden beauty's blood, A pure, rich crimson, without mud, In whose sweet blushes that may live, Which a dull verse can never give.

Now for an untouch'd, spotless white, For blackest things on paper write, Etesia, at thine own expense Give me the robes of innocence.

Could we but see a spring to run Pure milk, as sometimes springs have done, And in the snow-white streams it sheds, Carnations wash their b.l.o.o.d.y heads, While ev'ry eddy that came down Did--as thou dost--both smile and frown.

Such objects, and so fresh would be But dull resemblances of thee.

Thou art the dark world's morning-star, Seen only, and seen but from far; Where, like astronomers, we gaze Upon the glories of thy face, But no acquaintance more can have, Though all our lives we watch and crave.

Thou art a world thyself alone, Yea, three great worlds refin'd to one; Which shows all those, and in thine eyes The s.h.i.+ning East and Paradise.

Thy soul--a spark of the first fire-- Is like the sun, the world's desire; And with a n.o.bler influence Works upon all, that claim to sense; But in summers hath no fever, And in frosts is cheerful ever.

As flow'rs besides their curious dress Rich odours have, and sweetnesses, Which tacitly infuse desire, And ev'n oblige us to admire: Such, and so full of innocence Are all the charms, thou dost dispense; And like fair Nature without arts At once they seize, and please our hearts.

O, thou art such, that I could be A lover to idolatry!

I could, and should from heav'n stray, But that thy life shows mine the way, And leave a while the Deity To serve His image here in thee.

TO ETESIA LOOKING FROM HER CAs.e.m.e.nT AT THE FULL MOON.

See you that beauteous queen, which no age tames?

Her train is azure, set with golden flames: My brighter fair, fix on the East your eyes, And view that bed of clouds, whence she doth rise.

Above all others in that one short hour Which most concern'd me,[64] she had greatest pow'r.

This made my fortunes humorous as wind, But fix'd affections to my constant mind.

She fed me with the tears of stars, and thence I suck'd in sorrows with their influence.