University of Virginia Library


7

To a Lady that forbad to love before Company.

What no more favors, not a Ribband more,
Not Fan nor Muff to hold as heretofore?
Must all the little blisses then be left,
And what was once Loves gift, become our theft?
May we not look our selves into a trance,
Teach our souls parlie at our eyes, not glance,
Not touch the hand, not by soft wringing there
Whisper a Love that only yes can hear?
Not free a sigh, a sigh that's there for you,
Dear must I love you, and not love you too?
Be wise, nice, fair; For sooner shall they trace
The feather'd Choristers from place to place
By prints they make in th'air, and sooner say
By what right line the last Star made his way
That fled from heaven to earth, then ghess to know
How our Loves first did spring, or how they grow.
Love is all spirit, Fairies sooner may
Be taken tardy, when they night-tricks play
Then we, we are too dull and lumpish rather,
Would they could find us both in bed together!
J. S.