Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | I. Admiration | | To Roses in the Bosom of Castara | | William Habington (1605–1654) |
| | | YE blushing virgins happy are | |
| In the chaste nunnery of her breasts, | |
| For he ’d profane so chaste a fair, | |
| Who e’er should call them Cupid’s nests. | |
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| Transplanted thus how bright ye grow, | 5 |
| How rich a perfume do ye yield! | |
| In some close garden cowslips so | |
| Are sweeter than i’ th’ open field. | |
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| In those white cloisters live secure | |
| From the rude blasts of wanton breath, | 10 |
| Each hour more innocent and pure, | |
| Till you shall wither into death. | |
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| Then that which living gave you room | |
| Your glorious sepulchre shall be: | |
| There wants no marble for a tomb, | 15 |
| Whose breast has marble been to me. | | | | |
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