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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The Waiting-Maid.
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 | The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley |  |
The Waiting-Maid.
1.
Thy Maid? ah, find some nobler theameWhereon thy doubts to place;
Nor by a low suspect blaspheme
The glories of thy face.
2.
Alas, she makes Thee shine so fair,So exquisitely bright,
That her dim Lamp must disappear
Before thy potent Light.
3.
Three hours each morn in dressing Thee,Maliciously are spent;
And make that Beauty Tyranny,
That's else a Civil Government.
4.
The'adorning thee with so much art,Is but a barb'arous skill;
'Tis like the poys'oning of a Dart
Too apt before to kill.
5.
The Min'istring Angels none can see;'Tis not their beauty'or face,
For which by men they worshipt be;
But their high Office and their place.
Thou art my Goddess, my Saint, She;
I pray to Her, only to pray to Thee.
| The Works of Mr Abraham Cowley | |