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Detraction execrated.

Thou vermin Slander, bred in abject minds
Of thoughts impure, by vile tongues animate,
Canker of conversation! couldst thou find
Nought but our Love, whereon to shew thy hate?
Thou never wert, when we two were alone;
What canst thou witness then? thy base dull aid
Was useless in our conversation,
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Where each meant more, then could by both be said.
Whence hadst thou thy intelligence, from earth?
That part of us ne'r knew that we did love:
Or from the air? Our gentle sighs had birth
From such sweet raptures as to joy did move:
Our thoughts, as pure as the chaste Mornings breath,
When from the Nights cold arms it creeps away,
Were cloth'd in words; and Maidens blush that hath
More purity, more innocence then they.
Nor from the water couldst thou have this tale,
No briny tear hath furrowed her smooth cheek;
And I was pleas'd, I pray what should he aile
That had her Love, for what else could he seek?
We shortned days to moments by Loves art,
Whilst our two souls in amorous extasie
Perceiv'd no passing time, as if a part
Our Love had been of still Eternity.
Much less could have it from the purer fire,
Our heat exhales no vapor from course sense,
Such as are hopes, or fears, or fond desires;
Our mutual Love it self did recompence.
Thou hast no correspondencie in heaven,
And th'elemental world thou seest is free:
Whence hadst thou then this talking, Monster? even
From hell, a harbor fit for it and thee.
Curst be th'officious Tongue that did address
Thee to her ears, to ruine my content:
May it one minute taste such happiness,
Deserving loos'd, unpittied it lament!
I must forbear her sight, and so repay
In grief, those hours Joy shortned to a dram:
Each minute I will lengthen to a day,
And in one year outlive Methusalem.
J. S.
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