The poetical works of William Strode ... Now first collected from manuscript and printed sources: to which is added: The floating island a tragi-comedy: Now first reprinted from the original edition of 1655: Edited by Bertram Dobell with a memoir of the author |
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TO A FRIEND |
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 | The poetical works of William Strode |  |
TO A FRIEND
Like to the hande which hath bin usde to playOne lesson long, still runs the usuall way,
And waites not what the hearers bid it strike,
But doth presume by custome, this will like:
So runne my thoughts, which are so perfect growne,
So well acquainted with my passion,
That now they dare prevent mee with their hast,
And ere I thinke to sigh my sigh is past:
Tis past, and flowne to you, for you alone
Are all the object that I thinke upon,
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For want of action it to none were brought.
What though our absent armes may not enfold
Reall embraces, yet wee firmely hold
Each other in possession. Thus wee see
The Lord enjoy his Lands where ere hee bee:
If Kings possesst no more than where they sate
What were they greater than a mean estate?
This makes mee firmly yours, you firmly mine,
That somthing more than bodies us combine.
| The poetical works of William Strode | |