V. LYRICS PRINTED ONLY IN EDITIONS OF 1647 AND 1657 [GAMBLE].
The Blush.
So fair Aurora doth herself discover
(Asham’d o’ th’ aged bed of her cold lover,)
In modest blushes, whilst the treacherous light
Betrays her early shame to the world’s sight.
Such a bright colour doth the morning rose5
Diffuse, when she her soft self doth disclose
Half drown’d in dew, whilst on each leaf a tear
Of night doth like a dissolv’d pearl appear;
Yet ’twere in vain a colour out to seek
To parallel my Chariessa’s cheek;10
Less are compar’d[16:1] with greater, and these seem
To blush like her, not she to blush like them.
But whence, fair soul, this passion? what pretence
Had guilt to stain thy spotless innocence?
Those only this feel who have guilty been,15
Not any blushes know, but who know[16:2] sin.
Then blush no more; but let thy chaster flame,
That knows no cause, know no effects of shame.
Such icy kisses, anchorites that live
Secluded from the world, to dead skulls give;
And those[17:1] cold maids on whom Love never spent
His flame, nor know what by desire is meant,
To their expiring fathers such bequeath,5
Snatching their fleeting spirits in that breath:
The timorous priest doth with such fear and nice
Devotion touch the Holy Sacrifice.
Fie, Chariessa! whence so chang’d of late,
As to become in love a reprobate?10
Quit, quit this dulness, Fairest, and make known
A flame unto me equal with mine[17:2] own.
Shake off this frost, for shame, that dwells upon
Thy lips; or if it will not so be gone,
Let’s once more join our lips,[17:3] and thou shalt see15
That by the flame of mine ’twill melted be.