 | Miscellaneous poems |  |
Eyes and Tears.
I
How wisely Nature did decree,With the same Eyes to weep and see!
That, having view'd the object vain,
They might be ready to complain.
II
And, since the Self-deluding Sight,In a false Angle takes each hight;
These Tears which better measure all,
Like wat'ry Lines and Plummets fall.
III
Two Tears, which Sorrow long did weighWithin the Scales of either Eye,
And then paid out in equal Poise,
Are the true price of all my Joyes.
IV
What in the World most fair appears,Yea even Laughter, turns to Tears:
And all the Jewels which we prize,
Melt in these Pendants of the Eyes.
V
I have through every Garden been,Amongst the Red, the White, the Green;
9
No Hony, but these Tears could draw.
VI
So the all-seeing Sun each dayDistills the World with Chymick Ray;
But finds the Essence only Showers,
Which straight in pity back he powers.
VII
Yet happy they whom Grief doth bless,That weep the more, and see the less:
And, to preserve their Sight more true,
Bath still their Eyes in their own Dew.
VIII
So Magdalen, in Tears more wiseDissolv'd those captivating Eyes,
Whose liquid Chaines could flowing meet
To fetter her Redeemers feet.
IX
Not full sailes hasting loaden home,Nor the chast Ladies pregnant Womb,
Nor Cynthia Teeming show's so fair,
As two Eyes swoln with weeping are.
X
The sparkling Glance that shoots Desire,Drench'd in these Waves, does lose it fire.
Yea oft the Thund'rer pitty takes
And here the hissing Lightning slakes.
XI
The Incense was to Heaven dear,Not as a Perfume, but a Tear.
And Stars shew lovely in the Night,
But as they seem the Tears of Light.
10
XII
Ope then mine Eyes your double Sluice,And practise so your noblest Use.
For others too can see, or sleep;
But only humane Eyes can weep.
XIII
Now like two Clouds dissolving, drop,And at each Tear in distance stop:
Now like two Fountains trickle down:
Now like two floods o'return and drown.
XIIII
Thus let your Streams o'reflow your Springs,Till Eyes and Tears be the same things:
And each the other's difference bears;
These weeping Eyes, those seeing Tears.
| Miscellaneous poems | |