XVII.

SINCE she whom I lov'd hath payd her last debt

To Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,

And her Soule early into heaven ravished,

Wholly on heavenly things my mind is sett.

5Here the admyring her my mind did whett

To seeke thee God; so streames do shew their head;

But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,

A holy thirsty dropsy melts mee yett.

But why should I begg more Love, when as thou

10Dost wooe my soule for hers; offring all thine:

And dost not only feare least I allow

My Love to Saints and Angels things divine,

But in thy tender jealosy dost doubt

Least the World, Fleshe, yea Devill putt thee out.

XVII. W: first printed in Gosse's Life and Letters of John Donne, 1899

2 dead,] dead W

6 their] yr W

head;] head, W

10 wooe] spelt woe W

12 divine,] divine W

[Note]

XVIII.

SHOW me deare Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear.

What! is it She, which on the other shore

Goes richly painted? or which rob'd and tore

Laments and mournes in Germany and here?

5Sleepes she a thousand, then peepes up one yeare?

Is she selfe truth and errs? now new, now outwore?

Doth she, and did she, and shall she evermore

On one, on seaven, or on no hill appeare?

Dwells she with us, or like adventuring knights

10First travaile we to seeke and then make Love?

Betray kind husband thy spouse to our sights,

And let myne amorous soule court thy mild Dove,

Who is most trew, and pleasing to thee, then

When she'is embrac'd and open to most men.

XVIII. W: first printed in Gosse's Life &c.

2 What!] What W

3 tore] so I read W: lore Gosse