 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
Her Name.
I
To write your Name upon the Glass,Is that the greatest you'l impart
Of your Commands? when, Dear, alas!
'Twas long since graven in my Heart?
But you foresee my Heart must break, and sure
Think't in that brittle Quarry more secure.
II
My Breast impregnable is found,Which nothing, but thy Beauty, wracks,
Than this frail Metal far more sound,
That every Storm and Tempest cracks.
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More firm, and more transparent it appears.
III
Yet, I obey you, when, behold!I tremble at the forced fact,
My hand too sawcy and too bold,
Timorously shivers at the act;
And 'twixt the wounded glass, and th' harder stone,
I hear a murmuring Emulation.
IV
'Tis done; to which let all hearts bow,And to the Tablet sacrifice;
Incense of loyal Sighs allow,
And Tears from wonder-strucken Eyes;
Which, should the Schismaticks of Sion see,
Perchance they'd break it for Idolatry.
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V
But, cursed be that awkward handDares raze the glory from this frame,
That, notwithstanding thy Command,
Tears from this glass thy ador'd Name;
Whoe're he be, unless he do repent,
He's damn'd for breaking thy Commandement.
VI
Yet, what thy dear will here has plac't,Such is its unassured state,
Must once, my Sweetest, be defac't,
Or by the stroke of Time, or Fate;
It must at last, howe're, dissolve, and die,
With all the World, and so must thou, and I.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |