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 |
The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley | ||
Her Name.
1
With more than Jewish Reverence as yetDo I the Sacred Name conceal;
When, ye kind Stars, ah when will it be fit
This Gentle Mystery to reveal?
when will our Love be Nam'd, and we possess
That Christning as a Badge of Happiness?
2
So bold as yet no Verse of mine has been,To wear that Gem on any Line;
Nor, till the happy Nuptial Muse be seen,
Shall any Stanza with it shine.
Rest, mighty Name, till then; for thou must be
Laid down by Her, e're taken up by Me.
3
Then all the fields and woods shall with it ring;Then Ecchoes burden it shall be;
Then all the Birds in sev'eral notes shall sing,
And all the Rivers murmur Thee;
Then ev'ery wind the Sound shall upwards bear,
And softly whisper't to some Angels Ear.
136
4
Then shall thy Name through all my Verse be spread,Thick as the flowers in Meadows lye,
And, when in future times they shall be read,
(As sure, I think, they will not dye)
If any Critick doubt that They be mine,
Men by that Stamp shall quickly know the Coyn.
5
Mean while I will not dare to make a NameTo represent thee by;
Adam (Gods Nomenclator) could not frame
One that enough should signifie.
Astræa or Cælia as unfit would prove
For Thee, as 'tis to call the Deity, Jove.
The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley | ||