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Argalvs and Parthenia

Written by Fra: Quarles

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With that; as if his count'nance had thought good
To weare Death's colours; or as if his blood
Had beene imployed to condole the smart
And torment of his poore afflicted heart,
He thus bespake: Vnhappiest of all men,
Why doe I liue? Is Death my Riuall then?
Vnequall chance! Had it bin flesh and blood,
I could haue grapled, and (perchance) withstood
Some stout encounters: Had an armed host
Of mortall riualls ventur'd to haue crost
My blest desiers; my Partheniaes eye
Had giuen me power to make that army fly
Like frighted Lambs, before the Wolfe; But thou
Before whose presence, all must stoope and bow
Their seruile necks! what weapon shall I hold
Against thy hand, that will not be controll'd?
Great enemie! whose kingdome's in the dust
And darkesome Caues; I know that thou art iust;
Else had the gods ne're trusted to thy hand
So great a priuiledge, so large command
And iurisdiction o're the liues of men,
To kill, or saue euen whom thou please, and when;
O, suffer not Partheniaes tempting teares
To moue thy heart; Let thy hard hearted eares
Be deafe to all her suits: If she professe
Affection to thee, beleeue nothing lesse;
She's my betrothed spouse, and Hymens bands
Haue firmely ioyn'd our hearts, though not our hands.

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Where plighted faith, and sacro-sanctius vowe
Hath giuen possession, dispossesse not thou.
Be iust; and though her briny lips bewaile
Her griefe with teares, let not those teares preuaile.
Whom heauens haue ioyn'd, thy hands may not disioyne,
I am Partheniaes; and Partheniaes mine.
Alas! we are but one; Then thou must either
Refuse vs both; or, else, take both together.