Orinda upon Little Hector Philips

I
Twice forty months of Wedlock I did stay,
Then had my vows crown'd with a Lovely boy.
And yet in forty days he dropt away,
O swift Vicissitude of humane joy.

2
I did but see him and he dis-appear'd,
I did but pluck the Rose-bud and it fell,
A sorrow unforeseen and scarcely fear'd,
For ill can mortals their afflictions spell.

3
And now (sweet Babe) what can my trembling heart
Suggest to right my doleful fate or thee,
Tears are my muse and sorrow all my Art,
So piercing groans must be thy Elogy.

4
Thus whilst no eye is witness of my mone,
I grieve thy loss (Ah boy too dear to live)
And let the unconcerned World alone,
Who neither will, nor can refreshment give.

Though it be just to grieve when I must part
With him that is the Guardian of my Heart;
Yet by an happy change the loss of mine
Is with advantage paid in having thine.
And I (by that dear Guest instructed) find
Absence can do no hurt to Souls combin'd.
As we were born to love, brought to agree
By the impressions of Divine Decree:
So when united nearer we became,
It did not weaken, but encrease, our Flame.
Unlike to those who distant joys admire,
But slight them when possest of their desrie.
Each of our Souls did its own temper fit,
And in the other's Mould so fashion'd it,
That now our Inclinations both are grown,
Like to our Interests and Persons, one;
And Souls whom such a Union fortifies,
Passion can ne're destroy, nor Fate surprize.
Now as in Watches, though we do not know
When the Hand moves, we find it still doth go:
So I, by secret Sympathy inclin'd,
Will absent meet, and understand thy mind;
And thou at thy return shalt find thy Heart
Still safe, with all the love thou dids't impart.
For though that treasure I have ne're deserv'd,
It shall with strong Religion be preserv'd.
And besides this thou shalt in me survey
Thy self reflected while thou art away.
For what some forward Arts do undertake,
The Images of absent Friends to make,
And represent their actions in a Glass,
Friendship it self can only bring to pass,
That Magick which both Fate and Time beguiles,
And in a moment runs a thousand miles.
So in my Breast thy Picture drawn shall be,
My Guide, Life, Object, Friend, and Destiny:
And none shall know, though they employ their wit,
Which is the right Antenor, thou, or it.

I did not live until this time
Crown'd my felicity.
When I could say without a crime,
I am not thine, but Thee.

This Carcass breath'd, and walkt, and slept,
So that the World believ'd
There was a Soul the Motions kept;
But they were all deceiv'd.

For as a Watch by art is wound
To motion, such was mine:
But never had Orinda found
A Soul till she found thine;

Which now inspires, cures and supplies,
And guides my darkned Breast:
For thou art all that I can prize,
My Joy, my Life, my Rest.

No Bridegrooms nor Crown-conquerors mirth
To mine compar'd can be:
They have but pieces of this Earth,
I've all the World in thee.

Then let our Flames still light and shine,
And no false fear controul,
As innocent as our Design,
Immortal as our Soul.

An Answer to Another Perswading a Lady to Marriage

I
Forbear bold Youth, all's Heaven here,
And what you do aver,
To others Courtship may appear,
'Tis Sacriledge to her.

2
She is a publick Deity,
And were't not very odd
She should despose herself to be
A petty Houshold God?

3
First make the Sun in private shine,
And bid the World adieu,
That so he may his beams confine
In complement to you.

4
But if of that you do despair,
Think how you did amiss,
To strive to fix her beams which are
More bright and large than this.