| |
| ENVIOUS air, all Nature’s public nurse, | |
| Lend to my life, no spirit! | |
| Not that I prosper worse | |
| Than erst of yore; for I, the state inherit, | |
| Which gods in Paradise, ’bove man demerit: | 5 |
| But for I highly scorn | |
| Thy common vapour should | |
| With her sweet breath immix! I cannot bear it! | |
| Cold air’s infusion cannot be foreborn; | |
| O kiss! O soul, which could | 10 |
| All wailings have outworn! | |
| Angel of Bliss! which cheers me night and morn! | |
| Sweet Cloud! which now, with my soul dost enfold! | |
| Salve to my Soul! once sick. | |
| Let men in Inde iborn | 15 |
| Cease boasting of rich drugs, and sweet perfume! | |
| Egyptian gums, and odours Arabic, | |
| I loath! and wood, dear sold, | |
| From myrrh and cypress torn! | |
| Tarry, sweet kiss! Do not in clouds consume! | 20 |
| Yet can I feel thy spirit moving quick. | |
| O why should air presume | |
| To be her spirit’s rival? | |
| What do I speak? Nor am I lunatic! | |
| I cannot live; else would I not assume | 25 |
| Cold air, to contrive all | |
| My sorrows, with immixion. | |
| Then die! whilst this sweet spirit thee doth prick! | |
| Whilst thy sweet comfort’s kisses are alive all! | |
| And love’s sweet jurisdiction | 30 |
| Will make thee die possessed | |
| Of all heaven’s joys; which, for most comfort, strive all! | |
| Lest Death, to Pleasure should give interdiction, | |
| Ah let my lips be pressed! | |
| And, with continual kisses, | 35 |
| Pour everlasting spirit to my life. | |
| So, shall I always live! so, still be blessed! | |
| Kiss still! and make no misses! | |
| Double! redouble kisses! | |
| Murmur affections! War in pleasing strife! | 40 |
| Press lips! Lips, rest oppressed! | |
| This Passion is no fiction. | |
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