Tixall Poetry.
319
It councels us in cares, no storms can shake
Its strong foundation, or disunion make.
Length of enjoyment still augments the fire,
For as it longer burnes it flames the higher.
It does not now the passionate lover play,
And then by its own heat melt all away,
Like grosser love's fantastick happiness,
Which gaining what creates it, still grows less;
And if deny'd, despair does then supply
Possession's place, for hopeles love will dye.
False fond chimera of a sicken'd brain!
Contentment's ruine, and the judgment's stain!
Misterious passion, tempest of the mind,
Which once being entred, none a calm can find.
Now hopes, then feares, do agitate the breast;
The raging soule's with jealousy opprest:
Expires by what it seekes, enjoy'd success,
And surfeits of its long'd for happiness.
Sure all its ills had never then bin try'd,
When love by men was vainly deify'd.
But they that perfect friendship do possess,
Had they the world besides would find it less.
Its strong foundation, or disunion make.
Length of enjoyment still augments the fire,
For as it longer burnes it flames the higher.
It does not now the passionate lover play,
And then by its own heat melt all away,
Like grosser love's fantastick happiness,
Which gaining what creates it, still grows less;
And if deny'd, despair does then supply
Possession's place, for hopeles love will dye.
False fond chimera of a sicken'd brain!
Contentment's ruine, and the judgment's stain!
Misterious passion, tempest of the mind,
Which once being entred, none a calm can find.
Now hopes, then feares, do agitate the breast;
The raging soule's with jealousy opprest:
Expires by what it seekes, enjoy'd success,
And surfeits of its long'd for happiness.
Sure all its ills had never then bin try'd,
When love by men was vainly deify'd.
But they that perfect friendship do possess,
Had they the world besides would find it less.
