A star thought by the erring[6:2] passenger
Which falling from its native orb, dropped here,5
And makes the earth, its centre, now its sphere.
Should many of these sparks together be,
He that the unknown light far off should see
Would think it a terrestrial galaxy.
Take ’t up, fair Saint; see how it mocks thy fright;10
The paler flame doth not yield heat, though light,
Which thus deceives[6:3] thy reason, through thy sight.
But see how quickly it, ta’en up, doth fade,
(To shine in darkness only being made),
By th’ brightness of thy light turn’d to a shade,15
And burnt to ashes by thy flaming eyes!
On the chaste altar of thy hand it dies,
As to thy greater light a sacrifice.
To Chariessa,[7:1]
Desiring her to Burn his Verses.
These papers, Chariessa, let thy breath
Condemn, thy hand unto the flames bequeath;
’Tis fit who gave them life, should give them death.
And whilst[7:2] in curled flames to heaven they rise,
Each trembling sheet shall, as it upwards flies,5
Present itself to thee a sacrifice.