Lucasta Epodes, Odes, Sonnets, Songs, &c. To which is added Aramantha, A Pastorall. By Richard Lovelace |
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To his Honoured and Ingenious Friend Col. Richard Lovelace, on his LUCASTA.
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To his Honoured and Ingenious Friend Col. Richard Lovelace, on his LUCASTA.
Chast as Creation meant us, and more brightThen the first day in's uneclipsed light,
Is thy Lucasta, and thou offerest heere
Lines to her Name as undefil'd and cleere:
Such as the first indeed more happy dayes,
(When Vertue, Wit, and Learning, wore the bayes;
Now Vice assumes) would to her memory give
A Vestall Flame, that should for ever live
Plac't in a Christal Temple, rear'd to be
The Embleme of her thoughts integrity;
And on the Porch thy Name insculpt, my Friend,
Whose Love like to the flame can know no end:
The Marble steps that to the Alter brings
The hallowed Priests with their cleane Offerings
Shall hold their Names, that humbly crave to be
Votaries to'th shrine, and grateful Friends to thee:
So shal we live (although our Offrings prove
Meane to the World) for ever by thy Love.
THO. RAWLINS.
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