[32.] He whose active thoughts disdain
I
He whose active thoughts disdain
To be captive to one foe,
And would break his single chain,
Or else more would undergoe;
Let him learn the art of me,
By new bondage to be free.
II
What tyrannick Mistress dare
To one beauty love confine?
Who unbounded as the aire
All may court but none decline:
Why should we the Heart deny
As many objects as the Eye?
III
Wheresoe're I turn or move
A new passion doth detaine me:
Those kind beauties that do love,
Or those proud ones that disdain me;
This frown melts, and that smile burns me;
This to tears, that ashes turns me.
IV
Soft fresh Virgins not full blown,
With their youthful sweetness take me;
Sober Matrons that have known
Long since what these prove, awake me:
Here staid coldness I admire,
There the lively active fire.
V
She that doth by skill dispence
Every favour she bestows,
Or the harmless innocence
Which nor Court nor City knows,
Both alike my soul enflame,
That wilde beauty, and this tame.
VI
She that wisely can adorn
Nature with the wealth of Art,
Or whose rural sweets do scorn
Borrow'd helps to take a heart,
The vain care of that's my pleasure,
Poverty of this my treasure.
VII
Both the wanton and the coy
Me with equal pleasures move;
She whom I by force enjoy,
Or who forceth me to love;
This because she'l not confess,
That not hide her happiness,
VIII
She whose loosly flowing hair,
Scatter'd like the beams o'th' Morn,
Playing with the sportive air,
Hides the sweets it doth adorn,
Captive in that net restrains me,
In those golden fetters chains me.
IX
Nor doth she with power less bright
My divided heart invade,
Whose soft tresses spread like Night,
O're her shoulders a black shade;
For the star-light of her eyes
Brighter shines through those dark Skies.
X
Black, or fair, or tall, or low,
I alike with all can sport;
The bold sprightly Thais woo,
Or the frozen vestall court;
Every beauty takes my mind,
Tied to all, to none confin'd.
