Part 2 (1/2)
ON THIS SWELLING BANK.
On this swelling bank, once proud Of its burden, Doris lay: Here she smil'd, and did uncloud Those bright suns eclipse the day; Here we sat, and with kind art 5 She about me twin'd her arms, Clasp'd in hers my hand and heart, Fetter'd in those pleasing charms.
Here my love and joys she crown'd, Whilst the hours stood still before me, 10 With a killing glance did wound, And a melting kiss restore me.
On the down of either breast, Whilst with joy my soul retir'd, My reclining head did rest, 15 Till her lips new life inspir'd.
Thus, renewing of these sights Doth with grief and pleasure fill me, And the thought of these delights Both at once revive and kill me! 20
DEAR, FOLD ME ONCE MORE.
Dear, fold me once more in thine arms!
And let me know Before I go There is no bliss but in those charms.
By thy fair self I swear 5 That here, and only here, I would for ever, ever stay: But cruel Fate calls me away.
How swiftly the light minutes slide!
The hours that haste 10 Away thus fast By envious flight my stay do chide.
Yet, Dear, since I must go, By this last kiss I vow, By all that sweetness which dwells with thee,[3:1] 15 Time shall move slow, till next I see thee.
THE LAZY HOURS.
The lazy hours move slow, The minutes stay; Old Time with leaden feet doth go, And his light wings hath cast away.
The slow-pac'd spheres above 5 Have sure releas'd Their guardians, and without help move, Whilst that the very angels rest.
The number'd sands that slide Through this small gla.s.s, 10 And into minutes Time divide, Too slow each other do displace; The tedious wheels of light No faster chime, Than that dull shade which waits on night: 15 For Expectation outruns Time.
How long, Lord, must I stay?
How long dwell here?
O free me from this loathed clay!
Let me no more these fetters wear! 20 With far more joy Shall I resign my breath, For, to my griev'd soul, not to die Is every minute a new death.
IV. LYRICS PRINTED ONLY IN EDITIONS OF 1647 AND 1651.
LOVE'S INNOCENCE.[4:1]
See how this ivy strives to twine[4:2]
Her wanton arms about the vine, And her coy lover thus restrains, Entangled in her amorous chains; See how these neighb'ring palms do bend 5 Their heads, and mutual murmurs send, As whispering with a jealous fear[4:3]
Their loves into each other's ear.
Then blush not such a flame to own } As, like thyself, no crime hath known; } 10 Led by these harmless guides, we may }[4:4]
Embrace and kiss as well as they. } And like those blessed souls above, Whose life is harmony and love, Let us our mutual thoughts betray, 15 And in our wills our minds display.
This silent speech is swifter far Than the ears' lazy species are; And the expression it affords (As our desires,) 'bove reach of words. 20 Thus we, my Dear, of these may learn[4:5]
A pa.s.sion others not discern; Nor can it shame or blushes move, Like plants to live, like angels love: Since all excuse with equal innocence 25 What above reason is, or beneath sense.