University of Virginia Library

P. T. Of the Old Exchange to the Right Honourable, the Countess of Dorset, promising him her Kinswoman in Marriage.

Madam,

The charms that from Your Lips distill'd,
My ravisht Ears with Heavenly Musick fill'd.
Had I led Love unto Your Neeces heart,
And pray'd Him there transfix his keenest Dart
His being Blind, would have left him exempt,
From penalty, and charg'd the whole attempt
On my accompt; whose boldness durst aspire,
Promotheus like, unto Celestial fire;
'Twere no less sacriledge than to bereave
Diana of a Nymph without her leave:
Or steal a Star from off its Region,
Whilst Phebe slept with her Endymion.
I had been Felon to Your Honour's Blood,
And stoln a Cygnet from that Royal Floud.
Had not Your Grace first given me my Book,
The Golden Scepter of a Gracious look.
Who, now, with humble Confidence resort,
To this fair stream having Your warrant for't;
Only, let me beseech Your Honour that
You'd ratifie it with a Second date.
Then being arm'd with new encouragement,
My next address is to the Lady bent,
My Fortunes Balance on whose only breath
Depends the sentence of my Life or Death.
If such a happiness attend my Life,
Ile treat Her as my Mistriss, though my Wife.
Ile study what may please her, and contend
With fate to make her happy to the end.
As for You (Gracious Madam) deign me still
The Candour of Your Ladyships good will.
So shall I be assur'd what I commence,
Shall ripen in such Sun-like influence.
Mean while no thought shall from my breast arise,
But what I dare present as sacrifice.
Thus I return my self to both, whilst she
Possess my Heart, Your Grace shall have my knee.