Theophila :: :: University of Virginia Library

When Fancie bright Sacrata courts,
It is not with accustom'd Sports;
'Tis not in prizing of her Eyes,
To the Disvalue of the Skies;
Nor robbing Gardens of their Hue,
To give her flowrie Cheeks their Due.

II

'Tis not in stripping of the Sea
For Coral, to resigne that Plea
It hath to the Vermilion Die,
If that her raddy Lips be nigh,
Or that I long to see them ope,
As if I thence for Pearl did hope.

III

Nor is't in promising my Ears
Rather to her than to the Sphears;
Or that a Smile of hers displayes
As much Content as Phœbus Rayes,
Or that her Hand for Whitenesse shames
The down of Swans on Silver Thames.

IV

Let such on these Romances dwell,
Who do admire Loves Husk and Shell.
Hark, wanton Fair-ones, all your Fawns
Are Happinesses haplesse Pawns:
With these alone the Mind does Flag;
Beauty is oft the Souls Black Bag

V

Pure Flames that ravish with their Fire,
Ascend unmeasurably Higher;
Which after Search we find to be
In Virtue linkt with Pietie.
The Radiations of the Soul
All Splendors of the Flesh controul.

VI

Fond Sense, cry up a rosie Skin,
Sacrata rosy'd is within:
But brighter THEOPHIL behold,
Whose Vest is wrought with, torsled Gold.
LOVES self in her his Flame embeams,
LOVES Sacrifice ZEALS Rapture seems.

VII

Of Paradise before the Fall
This Saint is Emblematical.
Then, Fancie, give Her due Renown,
She's Queen of Arts; This Book, her Crown.
Sacrata turns Castara unto us,
And Benlovves (Anagramm'd) Benevolus.

JER. COLLIER, M. A. and Fell. of S. Johns Coll. Camb.