The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations/The Rose
For works with similar titles, see The Rose.
¶ The Rose.
Presse me not to take more pleasure
In this world of sugred lies,
And to use a larger measure
Then my strict, yet welcome size.
In this world of sugred lies,
And to use a larger measure
Then my strict, yet welcome size.
First, there is no pleasure here:
Colour'd griefs indeed there are,
Blushing woes, that look as cleare
As if they could beautie spare.
Colour'd griefs indeed there are,
Blushing woes, that look as cleare
As if they could beautie spare.
Or if such deceits there be,
Such delights I meant to say;
There are no such things to me,
Who have pass'd my right away.
Such delights I meant to say;
There are no such things to me,
Who have pass'd my right away.
But I will not much oppose
Unto what you now advise:
Onely take this gentle rose,
And therein my answer lies.
Unto what you now advise:
Onely take this gentle rose,
And therein my answer lies.
What is fairer then a rose?
What is sweeter? yet it purgeth.
Purgings enmitie disclose,
Enmitie forbearance urgeth.
What is sweeter? yet it purgeth.
Purgings enmitie disclose,
Enmitie forbearance urgeth.
If then all that worldlings prize
Be contracted to a rose;
Sweetly there indeed it lies,
But it biteth in the close.
Be contracted to a rose;
Sweetly there indeed it lies,
But it biteth in the close.
So this flow'r doth judge and sentence
Worldly joyes to be a scourge:
For they all produce repentance,
And repentance is a purge.
Worldly joyes to be a scourge:
For they all produce repentance,
And repentance is a purge.
But I health, not physick choose:
Onely though I you oppose,
Say that fairly I refuse,
For my answer is a rose.
Onely though I you oppose,
Say that fairly I refuse,
For my answer is a rose.