The Works of Abraham Cowley/Volume 2/My Picture
MY PICTURE.
Here, take my likeness with you, whilst 't is so;
For, when from hence you go,
The next sun's rising will behold
Me pale, and lean, and old:
The man who did this picture draw,
Will swear next day my face he never saw.
For, when from hence you go,
The next sun's rising will behold
Me pale, and lean, and old:
The man who did this picture draw,
Will swear next day my face he never saw.
I really believe, within a while,
If you upon this shadow smile,
Your presence will such vigour give
(Your presence, which makes all things live!)
And absence so much alter me,
This will the substance, I the shadow, be.
If you upon this shadow smile,
Your presence will such vigour give
(Your presence, which makes all things live!)
And absence so much alter me,
This will the substance, I the shadow, be.
When from your well-wrought cabinet you take it,
And your bright looks awake it,
Ah! be not frighted if you see
The new-soul'd picture gaze on thee,
And hear it breathe a sigh or two;
For those are the first things that if will do.
And your bright looks awake it,
Ah! be not frighted if you see
The new-soul'd picture gaze on thee,
And hear it breathe a sigh or two;
For those are the first things that if will do.
My rival-image will be then thought blest,
And laugh at me as dispossest;
But thou, who (if I know thee right)
I' th' substance dost not much delight,
Wilt rather send again for me,
Who then shall but my picture's picture be.
And laugh at me as dispossest;
But thou, who (if I know thee right)
I' th' substance dost not much delight,
Wilt rather send again for me,
Who then shall but my picture's picture be.