Page:Gondibert, an heroick poem - William Davenant (1651).djvu/274

CANTO the Third.

The Argument.
The Poet takes the Wise aside, to prove
Ev'n them concern'd in all he writes of Love.
The duteous Orgo from the Court returns
With joys, at which again fair Birtha mourns.
The Duke with open Arms does entertain
Those Guests whom he receives with secret pain.

1.
THou, whom some Ages hence these Roles dost read
 (Kept as Records by Lovers of Love's pow'r)
Thou who dost live, when I have long been dead,
 And feed'st from Earth, when Earth does me devour.

2.
Who liv'st, perhaps, amidst some Cities joys,
 Where they would fall asleep with Lazie peace,
But that their triumphs make so great a noise,
 And their loud Bells cannot for Nuptials cease:

3.
Thou, who perhaps, proudly thy bloomie Bride
 Lead'st to some Temple, where I withered lie;
Proudly, as if she Age's Frosts desy'd;
 And that thy springing self could never die:

4.
Thou, to whom then the chearfull Quire will sing,
 Whilst hallow'd Lamps, and Tapers, brave the Sun
As a Lay-Light; and Bells in triumph ring,
 As when from sallies the Besiegers run.

5.
Then when the Priest has ended, if thine Eyes
 Can but a little space her Eyes forbear,
To shew her where my Marble Coffin lies;
 Her Virgin Garlands she will offer there:

Confess,