The Hesperides & Noble Numbers Part 71

Though while we living 'bout the world do roam, We love to rest in peaceful urns at home, Where we may snug, and close together lie By the dead bones of our dear ancestry.

861. KINGS AND TYRANTS.

'Twixt kings and tyrants there's this difference known: _Kings seek their subjects' good, tyrants their own_.

862. CROSSES.

Our crosses are no other than the rods, And our diseases, vultures of the G.o.ds: Each grief we feel, that likewise is a kite Sent forth by them, our flesh to eat, or bite.

863. UPON LOVE.

Love brought me to a silent grove And show'd me there a tree, Where some had hang'd themselves for love, And gave a twist to me.

The halter was of silk and gold, That he reach'd forth unto me; No otherwise than if he would By dainty things undo me.

He bade me then that necklace use; And told me, too, he maketh A glorious end by such a noose, His death for love that taketh.

'Twas but a dream; but had I been There really alone, My desp'rate fears in love had seen Mine execution.

864. NO DIFFERENCE I' TH' DARK.

Night makes no difference 'twixt the priest and clerk; Joan as my lady is as good i' th' dark.

865. THE BODY.

The body is the soul's poor house or home, Whose ribs the laths are, and whose flesh the loam.

866. TO SAPPHO.

Thou say'st thou lov'st me, Sappho; I say no; But would to Love I could believe 'twas so!

Pardon my fears, sweet Sappho; I desire That thou be righteous found, and I the liar.

867. OUT OF TIME, OUT OF TUNE.

We blame, nay, we despise her pains That wets her garden when it rains: But when the drought has dried the knot, Then let her use the wat'ring-pot.

We pray for showers, at our need, To drench, but not to drown our seed.

_Knot_, quaintly shaped flower-bed.

868. TO HIS BOOK.

Take mine advice, and go not near Those faces, sour as vinegar.

For these, and n.o.bler numbers can Ne'er please the supercilious man.

869. TO HIS HONOURED FRIEND, SIR THOMAS HEALE.

Stand by the magic of my powerful rhymes 'Gainst all the indignation of the times.

Age shall not wrong thee; or one jot abate Of thy both great and everlasting fate.

While others perish, here's thy life decreed, Because begot of my immortal seed.

870. THE SACRIFICE, BY WAY OF DISCOURSE BETWIXT HIMSELF AND JULIA.

_Herr._ Come and let's in solemn wise Both address to sacrifice: Old religion first commands That we wash our hearts, and hands.

Is the beast exempt from stain, Altar clean, no fire profane?

Are the garlands, is the nard Ready here?

_Jul._ All well prepar'd, With the wine that must be shed, 'Twixt the horns, upon the head Of the holy beast we bring For our trespa.s.s-offering.

_Herr._ All is well; now next to these Put we on pure surplices; And with chaplets crown'd, we'll roast With perfumes the holocaust: And, while we the G.o.ds invoke, Read acceptance by the smoke.

871. TO APOLLO.

Thou mighty lord and master of the lyre, Unshorn Apollo, come and re-inspire My fingers so, the lyric-strings to move, That I may play and sing a hymn to Love.

872. ON LOVE.

Love is a kind of war: hence those who fear!

No cowards must his royal ensigns bear.

873. ANOTHER.

Where love begins, there dead thy first desire: _A spark neglected makes a mighty fire_.

874. A HYMN TO CUPID.

Thou, thou that bear'st the sway, With whom the sea-nymphs play; And Venus, every way: When I embrace thy knee, And make short pray'rs to thee, In love then prosper me.

This day I go to woo; Instruct me how to do This work thou put'st me to.

From shame my face keep free; From scorn I beg of thee, Love, to deliver me: So shall I sing thy praise, And to thee altars raise, Unto the end of days.

875. TO ELECTRA.

Let not thy tombstone e'er be laid by me: Nor let my hea.r.s.e be wept upon by thee: But let that instant when thou diest be known The minute of mine expiration.

One knell be rung for both; and let one grave To hold us two an endless honour have.