The Hesperides & Noble Numbers/Hesperides/The Dream (Methought last night love in an anger came)
For works with similar titles, see The Dream.
40. THE DREAM.
Methought last night Love in an anger came
And brought a rod, so whipt me with the same;
Myrtle the twigs were, merely to imply
Love strikes, but 'tis with gentle cruelty.
Patient I was: Love pitiful grew then
And strok'd the stripes, and I was whole again.
Thus, like a bee, Love gentle still doth bring
Honey to salve where he before did sting.