For which the clearer was not known,
Her mind, or her complexion:

Such an everlasting grace,

Such a beatific face

Incloisters here this narrow floor

That possess'd all hearts before.

Bless'd and bewail'd in death and birth! The smiles and tears of heav'n and earth! Virgins at each step are afeard,

Filmer is shot by which they steer'd,
Their star extinct, their beauty dead
That the young world to honour led;
But see! the rapid spheres stand still,
And tune themselves unto her will.

Thus, although this marble must,
As all things crumble into dust,
And though you find this fair-built tomb
Ashes, as what lies in its womb;
Yet her saint-like name shall shine
A living glory to this shrine,
And her eternal fame be read,

When all but very virtue's dead.

Zo Lucasta.

FROM PRISON.

AN EPODE.

LONG in thy shackles, liberty,

I ask not from these walls, but thee;
Left for awhile another's bride

To fancy all the world beside.

Yet e'er I do begin to love,
See! how I all my objects prove;
Then my free soul to that confine,
"Twere possible I might call mine.

First I would be in love with peace, And her rich swelling breasts increase; But how, alas! how may that be, Despising earth, she will love me?

Fain would I be in love with war,
As my dear just avenging star;
But war is lov'd so ev'ry where,
Ev'n he disdains a lodging here.

Thee and thy wounds I would bemoan Fair thorough-shot religion;

But he lives only that kills thee,

And whoso binds thy hands is free.

I would love a parliament

As a main prop from heav'n sent;

But, ah! who's he that would be wedded To th' fairest body that's beheaded?

Next would I court my liberty,
And then my birthright, property;
But can that be, when it is known
There's nothing you can call your own?

A reformation I would have,

As for our griefs a sov'reign salve;
That is, a cleansing of each wheel
Of state, that yet some rust doth feel:

But not a reformation so,

As to reform were to o'erthrow;
Like watches by unskilful men
Disjointed, and set ill again.

The public faith I would adore,
But she is bankrupt of her store;
Nor how to trust her can I see,
For she that cozens all, must me.

Since then none of these can be
Fit objects for my love and me;
What then remains, but th' only spring
Of all our loves and joys? The KING.

He, who being the whole ball
Of day on earth, lends it to all;
When seeking to eclipse his right,
Blinded, we stand in our own light.

And now an universal mist

Of error is spread o'er each breast,
With such a fury edg'd, as is

Not found in th' inwards of th' abyss.

Oh, from thy glorious starry wain
Dispense on me one sacred beam,
To light me where I soon may see
How to serve you, and you trust me.

Lucasta’s Fan,

WITH A LOOKING-GLASS IN IT.

OSTRICH! Thou feather'd fool, and easy prey,
That larger sails to thy broad vessel need'st;
Snakes through thy guttur-neck hiss all the day,
Then on thy iron mess at supper feed'st.

Oh what a glorious transmigration

From this, to so divine an edifice

Hast thou straight made! near from a winged stone

Transform'd into a bird of Paradise!

Now do thy plumes for hue and lustre vie

With th' arch of heav'n that triumphs o'er past wet, And in a rich enamel'd pinion lie

With sapphires, amethysts, and opals set.

Sometime they wing her side, then strive to drown The day's eyes piercing beams, whose am'rous heat

Solicits still, till with this shield of down

From her brave face, his glowing fires are beat.

But whilst a plumy curtain she doth draw,
A crystal mirror sparkles in thy breast
In which her fresh aspect when as she saw,
And then her foe retired to the west.

Dear engine that o'th' sun got'st me the day
'Spite of his hot assaults mad'st him retreat!
No wind (said she) dare with thee henceforth play,
But mine own breath to cool the tyrant's heat.

My lively shade thou ever shalt retain
In thy enclosed feather-framed glass,
And but unto ourselves to all remain
Invisible thou feature of this face!

So said, her sad swain overheard, and cried,
Ye gods! for faith unstain'd this a reward!
Feathers and glass t'outweigh my virtue tried?
Ah show their empty strength! the gods accord.