University of Virginia Library

PHILLIS Hand and Glove.

Fair Phillis, my ambitious Muse
Through its aspiring zeal we'd choose
Rather to charm thy hand then Glove,
Court that Diviner form, my Love;
T'whom Snow with th'Alablaster mine
Great Style of Whiteness only assign:
Where azure streams in purling measure
Make Cupids Isles and Place of pleasure.
But this eclipses vails their light,
And pleads Commission for't; worse spight;
Whilst [cas'd up] beauteous they appear
Like sacred-Twin-like Relicks there:
Worth 'bove all Romes; like cloysterd Nuns,
Or silver Orb involved Moons:
Not nak'd to each unworthy eye
Or the Suns bolder kisses lye,
[Sight fit'st for King] but then devest,
Break forth like Morns their dusky East,
When silk and gold as touch more fine;
Some Needle-Miracle design;
VVhere laid to th'eye small new Creation,
Birds, Beasts so near inanimation;
So true that Natures self does start;
Halfe mothering that meer Child of Art:
Mock'd by this Landskip, nye mistakes
For her own work th'Hills, Plants, and Lakes.
Sweet'st Recluse-payr! you meanlyer-choice
Beauties triumph it now, rejoyce;
Let coorser Hands now boldly shew,
Seek t'enamour with worse Snow.
Your Gloves kind pardon, if I seem
Transported here with whats their Gem,
Chief Riches, Glory; wherefore spight
Should not ore-long debar my sight:
Since I love these too, even in this
Fine, Prittyest, winning beauty is;
Both as it self, and as 'tis thine:
So dainty-shap'd, Symmetrick, fine,
Pure-white withal, that it might stand
A rude-drawn Picture to that hand:
VVherein (methinks) breath highest sweets
VVhose sublimation Juno fits:
This Pattern seems for the best of gloves
(As that for hands) like th'Queen of Leves.
O Cupid wouldst ordain that I
Under that form might hug so nigh
That loved Hand; [miraculous feat!]
But ah, I fear my Youthful Heat,
Sighs soft-breath'd whispers, joyful Dance
Oth' panting-Heart, then colder Trance
With fervent raven us kisses, soon
Would blab the Cozenage; all undone:
When I'm cashir'd eternally:
Whereas that Favourit-Glove laid by
Recloaths that Beauty; exalted is
To its late Paradisian Bliss.