The Grecian Story Being an Historical Poem, in Five Books. To which is Annex'd The Grove: Consisting of Divers Shorter Poems upon several Subjects. By J. H. [i.e. John Harington] |
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One to his Fair, coy Mistress.
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 | The Grecian Story |  |
One to his Fair, coy Mistress.
Sweet, beauteous Maid, but cruel-coy,Severest-nice, when, to enjoy
One kinder Grant hard Task does prove;
Herculean Labour found in Love.
What though that daintiest Hand touch mine,
Whose Beauty's more than chrystalline?
Would it least stain'd and soyled be,
Or lose the curious Form, by me
But kindly prest? Since never I
That Virgin-Snow advance so nigh
But with wash'd Hands; nor touch their Down,
But fear of bad conjoyned Frown
Prepares my Palm: Your Glove all day
That leave enjoys, your Sizars may,
Silk, Needle, Lawn, nay, meaner Thread;
My Hand debarr'd, thence banished.
Suppose them chang'd by You in part,
More pure by Touch, same Chimick Art
Would my corce Hands sublim'd refine.
Or say those daintiest Lips touch mine,
Would that decrease their Balmy Store,
Or waste their Delicates the more?
Since lasting Sweets, unchanged th' are;
Their Colour, form still rosie, fair,
Though kindly seal'd, Rubies excelling,
When kiss'd may prove more red, and swelling.
Soft wanton Gales with hov'ring Play
Are joyn'd to them, Suns gaudy Ray,
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My Lips inferiour thought to these;
The Fly may buz and kiss unblam'd
That Cherry-pair, my touch disclaim'd.
Can you dart Frowns; complain, when I
Near starved beg small Charity,
Th' Alms of one Kiss: no fault, offence
There to crave Meat; some Food dispense:
Would you not Life's Support bestow,
When not your self the poorer grow?
Nay, Sweetest, nice conceits forbear,
By Kiss you may prove Riches there;
Those Love's first-tasted Course appear.
| The Grecian Story | |