ODES,
with other Lyric Poesies.
To his Valentine.
MUse, bid the Morn awake! Sad Winter now declines, Each bird doth choose a Make; This day's Saint Valentine's. For that good Bishop's sake Get up, and let us see What Beauty it shall be That Fortune us assigns!
But, lo, in happy hour, The place wherein she lies; In yonder climbing Tower, Gilt by the glitt'ring Rise! O, Jove, that in a shower (As once that Thunderer did, When he in drops lay hid) That I could her surprise!
Her canopy I'll draw, With spangled plumes bedight: No mortal ever saw So ravishing a sight; That it the Gods might awe, And pow'rfully transpierce The globy Universe, Outshooting every light.
My lips I'll softly lay Upon her heavenly cheek, Dyed like the dawning day, As polished ivory sleek; And in her ear I'll say: "O thou bright Morning Star! 'Tis I, that come so far, My Valentine to seek.
"Each little bird, this tide, Doth choose her lovèd pheere; Which constantly abide In wedlock all the year, As Nature is their guide; So may we Two be true This year, nor change for new; As turtles coupled were.
"The sparrow, swan, the dove, Though Venus' birds they be; Yet are they not for love, So absolute as we! For reason us doth move; But they by billing woo. Then try what we can do! To whom each sense is free.
"Which we have more than they, By livelier organs swayed; Our Appetite each way More by our Sense obeyed. Our Passions to display, This season us doth fit; Then let us follow it. As Nature us doth lead!
"One kiss in two let's breathe! Confounded with the touch, But half words let us speak! Our lips employed so much, Until we both grow weak: With sweetness of thy breath, O smother me to death! Long let our joys be such!
"Let's laugh at them that choose Their Valentines by lot; To wear their names that use, Whom idly they have got." Saint Valentine, befriend! We thus this Morn may spend: Else, Muse, awake her not!
The Heart.
