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The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley

Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed: And Those which he Design'd for the Press, Now Published out of the Authors Original Copies ... The Text Edited by A. R. Waller

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Resolved to Love.

1

I wonder what the Grave and Wise
Think of all us that Love;
Whether our Pretty Fooleries
Their Mirth or Anger move;
They understand not Breath, that Words does want;
Our Sighs to them are unsignificant.

2

One of them saw me th' other day,
Touch the dear hand, which I admire;
My Soul was melting strait away,
And dropt before the Fire.
This silly Wiseman, who pretends to know,
Askt why I look'd so pale, and trembled so?

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3

Another from my Mistress' dore
Saw me with eyes all watry come;
Nor could the hidden cause explore,
But thought some smoak was in the room;
Such Ign'orance from unwounded Learning came;
He knew Tears made by Smoak, but not by Flame.

4

If learn'd in other things you be,
And have in Love no skill,
For Gods sake keep your arts from me,
For I'll be ign'orant still.
Study or Action others may embrace;
My Love's my Business, and my Books her Face.

5

These are but Trifles, I confess,
Which me, weak Mortal, move;
Nor is your busie Seriousness
Less trifling than my Love.
The wisest King who from his sacred brest
Pronounc'd all Van'ity, chose it for the best.