University of Virginia Library


120

With a Gyfte of a Glow-worm to the fayre Geraldine, in the Country.

Fayre Geraldine, behold, I bring
This elfin imp that gildeth night;
So beauteous was it 'mid the shade,
So calm, so mild its lonely light,
The insects of the dew-dropp'd fielde
To its pure beame did homage yielde.
When first I didde this worm espye,
Aloude I said, and with a sighe,
‘Oh, little imp of night, I see
Semblance of Geraldine in thee.’
Amid the shade as it doth shyne,
So fares it with fayre Geraldine.
This worm beneath the leaf doth hyde,
Desyring not to be espied;
Natheless it yieldeth all so brighte
A jewel to emblazon night:
And thus on this dark worlde do shyne
The wit and charmes of Geraldine.