John Hall of Durham was but nineteen years old in 1646.
[14:1.] On Sir John Suckling, etc. (p. 22).
Fragmenta Aurea, the posthumous collection of Suckling’s poetry, came out in 1646, with a fine portrait engraving by Marshall.
[15:1.] Answer.
The verses by Stanley’s tutor and friend are reproduced in the editions both of 1647 and of 1651.
Μία ψύχη, δυὸ σώματα
By Mr. William Fairfax.
As in the crystal-centre of the sight
Two subtle beams make but one cone of light,
Or, when one flame twin’d with another is,
They both ascend in one bright pyramis;
Our spirits thus into each other flow,5
One in our being, one in what we know,
In what we will, desire, dislike, approve,
In what we love; and one is that pure love.
As in a burning glass the aerial flame
With the producing ray is still the same,10
We to love’s purest quintessence refin’d,
Do both become one undivided mind.
This sacred fire into itself converts
Our yielding spirits and our melting hearts,
Till both our lines into one spirit run;15
So several lines are in their centre one.
And when thy fair idea is impress’d
In the soft tablet of my easier breast,
The sweet reflexion brings such sympathy,
That I my better self behold in thee;20
And all perfections that in thee combine,
By this resultance are entirely mine.
Thy rays disperse my shades, who only live
Bright in the lustre thou art pleas’d to give,