University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Mel Heliconium

or, Poeticall Honey, Gathered out of The Weeds of Parnassus ... By Alexander Rosse
  
  

collapse sectionI. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
ALPHÆUS.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
expand sectionII. 
expand sectionIII. 
expand sectionIV. 
expand sectionV. 
expand sectionVI. 
expand sectionVII. 

ALPHÆUS.


20

As Arethusa running through the main,
Yet doth its taste and colour still retain:
Salt Doris cannot taint it; let us then
Be good still, though we live with wicked men.
And as Alphæus runs, and will not stop
Untill he rests in Arethusa's lap;
So run my soul, untill thou be possess'd
Of thy belov'd, and of eternall rest.
And who would think, that love could set on fire;
Cold waters chuse cold waters to desire:
Can Cupid wound a river, can he scorch
The fencelesse waters with his flaming Torch?
No, no; but thou, O Lord, the God of Love
Can wound my heart, and warm it from above.
My cold and waterish heart, so now inflame
With love of thee, that I my course may frame
To thee through all the foes of cares and fears,
And through the salt sea also of my tears.
I am Alphæus, thou that living Well
To which I run, and where I hope to dwell.