The Works of Abraham Cowley/Volume 2/Looking on, and discoursing with, his Mistress
LOOKING ON, AND DISCOURSING WITH, HIS MISTRESS.
These full two hours now have I gazing been,
What comfort by it can I gain?
To look on heaven with mighty gulfs between
Was the great miser's greatest pain;
So near was he to heaven's delight,
As with the blest converse he might,
Yet could not get one drop of water by 't.
What comfort by it can I gain?
To look on heaven with mighty gulfs between
Was the great miser's greatest pain;
So near was he to heaven's delight,
As with the blest converse he might,
Yet could not get one drop of water by 't.
Ah wretch! I seem to touch her now; but oh,
What boundless spaces do us part!
Fortune, and friends, and all earth's empty show,
My lowness, and her high desert:
But these might conquerable prove;
Nothing does me so far remove,
As her hard soul's aversion from my love.
What boundless spaces do us part!
Fortune, and friends, and all earth's empty show,
My lowness, and her high desert:
But these might conquerable prove;
Nothing does me so far remove,
As her hard soul's aversion from my love.
So travellers, that lose their way by night,
If from afar they chance t' espy
Th' uncertain glimmerings of a taper's light,
Take flattering hopes, and think it nigh;
Till, wearied with the fruitless pain,
They sit them down, and weep in vain,
And there in darkness and despair remain.
If from afar they chance t' espy
Th' uncertain glimmerings of a taper's light,
Take flattering hopes, and think it nigh;
Till, wearied with the fruitless pain,
They sit them down, and weep in vain,
And there in darkness and despair remain.