Divinity and Morality in Robes of Poetry :: :: University of Virginia Library

Bring a Light, The Foe's in fight;
Prethee forgive me,
That I must thus leave thee in the Night;
My Bliss, Take this, and this,
Sleep well, I'le keep 'till
My happy returne, a parting kisse,
Thou wouldst free my life from feares,
Yet thy wet Eye
Drownes me with teares,
Wipe those faire pearles from thine eye,
And heare thy Souldiers
Lullaby.

2.

Sweet sleep, lye still my Deare,
Dangers be strangers
For ever, unto thy eye or eare
No sounds, or wo for wounds,
Number thy slumbers,
Or dare to approach within thy bounds;
But such Songs as Seraphs sing,
Which move by Love
Unto their King.
That thy sight, touch, tast, or smells
May say, all joy
In hearing dwells.

3.

And when thou wakest agen,
Fortune importune
Thy senses to see us happy Men,
—That we may so agree,
Dangers of strangers
May never destroy our Unity:
So shall Peace ascend her Throne,
For than each man
May claime his owne;
We like raging seas will run,
That meet and fight,
Then flow in one.

4.

So shall all sweete Joyes content thee,
That Ayre, Earth, or sea affords,
Tables shall be spread with plenty,
Sickles shall be made of swords:
Horses shall no more weare Armour,
That were plunder'd from the Plow,
Whilst the doubtfull frighted Farmour,
Questiond is, For whom are you?

5.

Private jarres shall be relinquish'd,
Every man shall have his owne,
Thine and mine shall be distinguish'd,
And no Seeds of sorrow sowne;
Comfort come to all complayners,
That were frighted back with frowns,
Governours no more be gayners,
Which are now the Kings of Townes.

6.

Mountains shall no more grow myrish
With so many noble bloods,
Fickle French and idle Irish
That come over for our Goods,
And have had so much enjoyment
In the ruine of the Land,
Shall be set to fit employment
By the power of strong Command.

7.

Bulwarks then shall all be slighted
To let in our Trades encrease,
Church and State shall be united
'Tis the Paradise of Peace;
Merchants feare no navall dangers
Or from their own Colours go,
But hold free Commerce with strangers,
Neighbour-nations should do so.

8.

Midnight calls, and I must leave thee,
This shall purchase my release,
May not such sweet dreames deceive thee
That pretend a prudent Peace?
War with this dark night fly over
And all joy rise with the Light:
Thus thy Lipps with mine I cover
One kiss more, and then Good night.