Thomas Stanley (1625–1678)

ASK the empress of the night

How the Hand which guides her sphere.

Constant in unconstant light,

Taught the waves her yoke to bear,

And did thus by loving force

Curb or tame the rude sea’s course.

Ask the female palm how she

First did woo her husband’s love;

And the magnet, ask how he

Doth th’ obsequious iron move;

Waters, plants, and stones know this:

That they love: not what Love is.

Be not thou less kind than these,

Or from Love exempt alone!

Let us twine like amorous trees,

And like rivers melt in one.

Or, if thou more cruel prove,

Learn of steel and stones to love.