But straight want skill to live abroad, Then pine, and hover near their home. And to the ocean rivers run, From being pent in banks of flowers; Not knowing that th' exhaling sun Will send them back in weeping showers. Soon thus, for pride of liberty, I low desires of bondage found; And vanity of being free Bred the discretion to be bound. But as dull subjects see too late Is but proud strutting in a chain: Then, growing wiser, when undone, So now I mourn'd that she was dead To find the harm of liberty. My soul, in sleep's soft fetters bound, Yet she's to me but such a light THE MISTRESS. WHEN nature heard men thought her old, Her eyes grown dim, and fingers cold; "Catch, as it falls, the Scythian snow, "Bring blushing roses steep'd in milk; "From early meadows scent and show, "And from the Persian worm her silk. "Fetch from the east the morning's breath, "And from the phoenix gums and spice, "Such as she culls, when at her death Nature of these a mistress made; But would have form'd a lover too; And such as might this nymph persuade To all that love for love should do. This second work she well began, With leisure, and by slow degrees; She wrought, and wrought, and then gave o'er: Then did another model try; But, less contented than before, She laid the work for ever by. I ask'd the cause; and straight she said, ""Tis very possible, I find, "To match the body which I made; "But I can never fit her mind. "For that still various seems and strange; "And since all lovers various be, "And apt as mistresses to change, "I cannot make my work agree. "Now sexes meet not by design, "When they the world's chief work advance, "But in the dark they sometimes join, "As wandering atoms meet by chance." EDMOND WALLER, Born 1605, and died 1687. CHLORIS, farewell! I now must go : I shall prove blind, and lose my way. Fame of thy beauty, and thy youth, Among the rest me hither brought: Finding this fame fall short of truth Made me stay longer than I thought. For I'm engag'd by word, and oath, But what assurance can I take, When thou, fore-knowing this abuse, For some more worthy lover's sake, May'st leave me with so just excuse? |