The Works of Abraham Cowley/Volume 2/Answer to the Platonicks
ANSWER TO THE PLATONICKS.
So angels love: so let them love for me;When I'm all soul, such shall my love too be:Who nothing here but like a spirit would do,In a short time, believe't, will be one too.But, shall our love do what in beasts we see?Ev'n beasts eat too, but not so well as we:And you as justly might in thirst refuseThe use of wine, because beasts water use:They taste those pleasures as they do their food;Undress'd they take 't, devour it raw and crude: But to us men, Love cooks it at his fire,And adds the poignant sauce of sharp desire.Beasts do the same: 't is true; but ancient FameSays, Gods themselves turn'd beasts to do the same.The Thunderer, who, without the female bed,Could Goddesses bring-forth from out his head,Chose rather mortals this way to create;So much he' esteem'd his pleasure 'bove his state.Ye talk of fires which shine, but never burn;In this cold world they'll hardly serve our turn;As useless to despairing lovers grown,As lambent flames to men i' th' frigid zone.The Sun does his pure fires on earth bestowWith nuptial warmth, to bring-forth things below;Such is Love's noblest and divinest heat,That warms like his, and does, like his, beget.Lust you call this; a name to yours more just,If an inordinate desire be lust:Pygmalion, loving what none can enjoy,More lustful was than the hot youth of Troy.