The poems of John Wilmot: Earl of Rochester | ||
To His MISTRESS.
I
Why do'st thou shade thy lovely face? O whyDoes that Eclipsing hand of thine deny
The Sun-shine of the Suns enlivening Eye.
II
Without thy light, what light remains in meThou art my Life, my way my Light's in Thee,
I Live I move and by thy beams I see.
III
Thou art my Life, if thou but turn awayMy Life's a thousand Deaths, thou art my way
Without Thee (Love) I travel not but Stray.
IV
My Light thou art, without thy Glorious sightMy Eyes are Darkned with Eternal night
My Love Thou art my way, my Life my light.
V
Thou are my way I wander if thou flyThou art my Light, if hid how blind am I
Thou art my Life if thou withdraw'st I Die.
VI
My Eyes are dark and blind I cannot seeTo whom or whether should my darkness flee
But to that Light, and who's that Light but Thee.
129
VII
If that be all Shine forth and draw thou nigherLet me be bold and Dye for my desire
A Phenix likes to Perish in the Fire.
VIII
If my Puft Light be out give leave to—My Shameless Snuff at the bright Lamp of thine
Ah! what's thy Light the less for Lighting mine.
IX
If I have lost my Path dear Lover sayShall I still wander in a Doubtful way
Love shall a Lamb of Israel's Sheepfold Stray.
X
My Path is lost my wandring Steps does StrayI cannot go nor safely Stay
Whom should I seek but Thee my Path my Way.
XI
And yet thou turn'st thy Face a way and flyest meAnd yet I sue for Grace and thou deniest me
Speak art thou angry, Love or tryest me.
XII
Display those Heavenly Lamps, or tell me whyThou Shad'st my Face perhaps no Eye
Can View their Flames and not drop down and Die.
XIII
Thou art the Pilgrims Path and Blind-Mans EyeThe Dead Mans Life on Thee my hopes rely
If I but them remove I e'er I Die.
130
XIV
Disolve thy Sun-Beams close thy Wings and StaySee See how I am blind and Dead and Stray
Oh thou that art my Life my Light my way.
XV
Then work my will if Passion bid me fleeMy Reason shall obey my Wings shall be
Stretched out no further then from me to thee.
The poems of John Wilmot: Earl of Rochester | ||