The Works in Verse and Prose (including hitherto unpublished Mss.) of Sir John Davies: for the first time collected and edited: With memorial-introductions and notes: By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In three volumes |
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose |  |
A MAID'S HYMNE IN PRAISE OF VIRGINITY.
Sacred virginity, vnconquered Queene!
Whose kingdome never hath invaded beene;
Of whose sweete rosy crowne noe hand hath power
Once but to touch, much lesse to plucke a flower:
Whose kingdome never hath invaded beene;
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Once but to touch, much lesse to plucke a flower:
Gainst whome proud love,—which on the world doth raigne,—
With armies of his passions fights in vaine;
In whome gray Winter neuer doth appeare
To whome greene Springtide lasteth all the yeare.
With armies of his passions fights in vaine;
In whome gray Winter neuer doth appeare
To whome greene Springtide lasteth all the yeare.
O fresh immortall baye, vntroubled well,
Or violett, which vntoucht doest sweetest smell;
Faire vine, which without prop doest safely stand
Pure gold, new coynd, which neuer past a hand.
Or violett, which vntoucht doest sweetest smell;
Faire vine, which without prop doest safely stand
Pure gold, new coynd, which neuer past a hand.
O temperance, in the supreame degree
And hiyest pitch that vertue's winges can flee:
O more then humane spirit, of Angells' kind:
O white, unspotted garment of the mind,
And hiyest pitch that vertue's winges can flee:
O more then humane spirit, of Angells' kind:
O white, unspotted garment of the mind,
Which first cloathed man, before hee was forlorne;
And wherein God Himselfe chose to bee borne.
Within my soule, O heavenly vertue rest,
Untill my soule with heaven it selfe bee blest.
And wherein God Himselfe chose to bee borne.
Within my soule, O heavenly vertue rest,
Untill my soule with heaven it selfe bee blest.
| The Works in Verse and Prose | |