Poems (Lewis)/The Lover's Astronomy

by Matthew Gregory Lewis

THE LOVER'S ASTRONOMY.

 

Come! on my knee, Love, take thy seat,
And learn, while last the moonlight hours,
In order just and concord sweet
What rules maintain yon starry powers.

I'll teach thee, how Attraction's Law
Each planet's destined movement traces;
How still yon Orbs each other draw,
Though fated ne'er to change their places:

And then I'll say [the case to prove]
—"Thus in harmonious concert beating
Our hearts towards each other move,
Attracted still, though never meeting."—

I'll teach thee, how yon Planet bright,
Which from the Sun too far is lying,
Is girdled with a ring of light
The want of solar rays supplying:

And then I'll say—"as draws yon star
Light from its ring, my soul's affection,
When from thy radiant eyes I'm far,
Still draws support from Recollection."—

Oh! see, the Moon is waning fast!—
Oh! see, her transient reign expires!—
So, Love, ere many a year is past,
Shall fade in death our amorous Fires!

Gone is the Moon: And shall not Tears,
Mourning her loss of light, attend her?—
No; for that brilliant Orb appears,
From whence She drew her borrowed splendour:

More pure, more bright He flames on high,
Nor asks from foreign rays assistance—
So when those amorous fires shall die,
Which here received their brief existence,

Our souls escaped from earthly strife,
By many a fault and folly lighter,
Placed in another better life
Shall love with flames far purer, brighter.