Poems on Several Occasions | ||
The Separation.
I
I ghess'd none wretched in his love,But who his Mistress's scorn did prove,
Nor judg'd him happy, but whose fire
Was paid with mutual desire:
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In both extreams there dwells
A destiny, which so malignant is
To make Man wretched in his greatest bliss.
II
The brightest Beauty I adore,That consecrated Earth e're bore,
The sweetest Person, fairest Mind,
That ever met in Woman-kind;
And (which afflicts me) am
Met with an equal flame:
For, had she hated me, her scorn might have
Condemn'd my Infant-love to its blest Grave.
III
But such 'tis nourisht by her grace,As Time, nor Objects can deface,
To such a faith, as cannot be
Compell'd from its Integrity.
But oh, th' unwelcome cause,
Of superstitious Laws!
That us, from our mutual Embraces tear,
And separates our bloods, because too near.
Poems on Several Occasions | ||