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The Grecian Story

Being an Historical Poem, in Five Books. To which is Annex'd The Grove: Consisting of Divers Shorter Poems upon several Subjects. By J. H. [i.e. John Harington]
  

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Her Eyes were black spread flaming Rays
Which Diamonds could far outblaze;
Transcendent beams: fair Soul from thence
Did shine with glorious Form to Sense.
Two glist'rng Mints of Lightning were;
Choice beauties Worlds; mysterious there;
In whose full Globes Night, Day intwin'd,
Both black and Fair at once combin'd,
Seem'd darker-veyl'd least else confounded
Mens view, destroi'd, tho sweetly wounded;
For Persons struck by that fair Eye,
Well pleas'd appear'd still so to Die.

8

Such lovely fires withal beheld,
Faint Stars, Sun's gaudy Beams excell'd.
Lights, fountains seem'd on Earth (survai'd)
New Morning kindled thence, displai'd.
Her Forehead large, high-rais'd to th' Eye,
Spread forth like pure, Majestick Sky;
Did Throne of State to Beauty there
Join'd Chastity withall appear:
Warm whitest Alps of Snow present;
First lovely Part, choice ornament.
Then view'd those Cheeks, delicious Bow'rs,
Where constant Spring, enlivened Flow'rs;
On Lillies there, fresh Roses blowing
Two Suns above their beams bestowing.
Here us'd that Archer small to lie
(Love's Boy) made wanton by her Eye,
For mirthful play; each outward Part
Still pleas'd to Range, if barr'd her Heart.
Next, daintiest Lips; fair Ruby-gem
But Mean-complexion'd, thought to them:
Prime modells clos'd, when smil'd howe're,
More graceful Shapes presented there:
New beauteous Forms through Speech descri'd,
Tho words pronounc'd like Death, Deni'd
Whose living Marmulade might shew
(Enjoi'd) Restorative, as tho
Chill, frosted Veins could warm repair;
Breath'd Sweets against Infectious Air:
Pearl-store conceal'd. 'Twere sad that none
Should kiss such Lips but Maids alone.
Her dainty rising Nose most white,
As curious-form'd, to please, delight:
Fit Part for that transcendent Face:
The Chin conjoin'd Perfections Grace.
Fine, gallant Hair, wreaths lofty-spread,
Like silken Crown adorn'd her head;
Some wanton, dangling Curls altho
Resplendent Cheeks made fairer shew;
Choice heightning Foyl: seem'd Courted, danc'd
By ev'ry blast of Wind, advanc'd:
'Twas clearer Brown and serv'd for Shade,
Whilst Sun-bright Eyes their beams displaid:

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Love's Ambushment might well appear;
Pity such Hairs should wither there
Under coy Virgin-vow, since Strings
For Cupid's Bow; fit bredes for Kings.
Her Neck might stately Fort present,
Pillar to th' Breathing Firmament.
Strange Clime displai'd, where Lillies, Snow
(Conjoin'd) did Summer-winter shew:
Upon that Frame with glory mov'd.
Prime choice Compound by Mortals lov'd,
Di'monds there worn, to Fancies eye,
Shew'd sparkling Joy being plac'd so nigh.
Then Brests survey'd which swell, aspire;
Nurses conjoin'd to th' Babe Desire:
Did soft like trembling Jelly shew,
Or Streams when gentler Gale doth blow,
Dimpling their Cheek. These th' Eye supposes
Love-gods beloved Mounts, whence loses
His Arrows oft in wanton play,
Doth Wound withal: Between there lay
Milk-path for's Walk; still slumber'd on
Those Pillows too when weary grown.
Her Arms like Twins in gentle fold
Play'd with themselves, by Nature's Mold.
Exactly cast; where Pearl descry'd,
Grown Envy-pale by th' Wrists outvy'd.
Free Pris'ners th' are who there remain,
Find beauteous Grate, choice Guardian:
'Twere sad these should imbrace none other
But Female Arms, or one another.
Her dainty, curious Hands (prime Pair)
By Queens might envy'd prove, so rare,
Those nicer Palms, soft, smallest Stream
Each azure Vein conceiv'd in them,
Like beauteous Founts that wander'd o're
Choice Lilly-banks, made Island-store.
Seem'd prime for Tooth, as could send out
Diseases rage, advance the Gout
To Galliard's lofty Height, and stroke
Fierce Panthers tame so fair a Yoak.
Now, lower wading strait, beheld
Her silver Wast, unparallel'd:

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Wreath'd by th' enamour'd Stream in sign
Of fond regard, so Crystalline;
Choice-form'd withal: much blest be Those
So wealthy an Armful may inclose:
Like Zodiack, surround (as 'twere)
That gallant World of beauty there.