The Works of Abraham Cowley/Volume 2/The Constant
THE CONSTANT.
Great and wise conqueror, who, where'erThou com'st, dost fortify, and settle there!Who canst defend as well as get,And never hadst one quarter beat-up yet;Now thou art in, thou ne'er wilt partWith one inch of my vanquish'd heart;For, since thou took'st it by assault from me,’Tis garrison'd so strong with thoughts of thee,It fears no beauteous enemy.
Had thy charming strength been less,I'ad serv'd ere this an hundred mistresses:I'm better thus, nor would compoundTo leave my prison to be a vagabond:A prison in which I still would be,Though every door stood ope to me.In spite both of thy coldness and thy pride,All love is marriage on thy lover's side,For only death can them divide.
Close, narrow chain, yet soft and kindAs that which spirits above to good does bind,Gentle and sweet Necessity,Which does not force, but guide, our liberty!Your love on me were spent in vain,Since my love still could but remainJust as it is; for what, alas! can beAdded to that which hath infinityBoth in extent and quality.