 | Poems upon several Occasions |  |
TEARS.
Say, Crystal Tears, that falling show
Bright as the Eyes from whence You flow,
Whose trickling Gems confer new Grace,
And shed fresh Glories on her Face,
Her Face that fair as Heav'n appears,
Bath'd in the dewy Morning's Tears;
Tell me from whence those Waters rise?
How can they spring from Chloe's Eyes?
Which kindling flush with hot Desire,
And roll like Balls of living Fire:
That all around their burning Arrows dart,
And scatter Shafts unseen from ev'ry Part.
Bright as the Eyes from whence You flow,
Whose trickling Gems confer new Grace,
And shed fresh Glories on her Face,
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Bath'd in the dewy Morning's Tears;
Tell me from whence those Waters rise?
How can they spring from Chloe's Eyes?
Which kindling flush with hot Desire,
And roll like Balls of living Fire:
That all around their burning Arrows dart,
And scatter Shafts unseen from ev'ry Part.
False are my Eyes, my Thought too errs,
For what I fancy'd Show'rs, and Tears,
Is neither Tears, nor show'ry Rain;
False are my Eyes, my Thoughts are vain.
For All that from those Fountains stream,
Are bubbling Drops of liquid Flame;
No wonder then your scalding Tears are seen,
Thus to consume, and torture Me within.
What num'rous Torments Lovers bear!
How small their Hope, how great their Fear!
In freezing Flames the Wretches mourn,
And then anon in Waters burn;
For Love, that bears a Sov'raign Sway,
Can make the Elements obey,
Can change their Natures, and their Forces tame,
Turn Fire to Water, Water into Flame.
For what I fancy'd Show'rs, and Tears,
Is neither Tears, nor show'ry Rain;
False are my Eyes, my Thoughts are vain.
For All that from those Fountains stream,
Are bubbling Drops of liquid Flame;
No wonder then your scalding Tears are seen,
Thus to consume, and torture Me within.
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How small their Hope, how great their Fear!
In freezing Flames the Wretches mourn,
And then anon in Waters burn;
For Love, that bears a Sov'raign Sway,
Can make the Elements obey,
Can change their Natures, and their Forces tame,
Turn Fire to Water, Water into Flame.
| Poems upon several Occasions | |