Tixall Poetry/A Pastoral Protest of Love, by Damon to Stella

by unknown author

A Pastoral Protest of Love,

by

Damon to Stella.

 

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When I thee all o'er do view,I all o'er must love thee too.By that smooth forehead, where's exprestThe candour of thy purer breast;By those twin-like stars that shine,By those apples of thine eyn; By each peachie-blossomed cheek,And thy sattin skin, more sleekAnd white than Floras whitest lillies,Or the maiden daffodillies;By that ivory ridge, thy nose;By those double blanched rowsOf teeth, as in pure coral set,So white, so smooth, so even met;By those lips all dewed with bliss,Made happy in each other's kiss;By those silk tresses, soft as downOf tender cygnets newly blown;By that silver stately neckWhich those curls do grace and deck;By each alabaster hand,From which thy taper fingers stand;By those pretty nimble feet,Wont in skilful steps to meet;By the neat fabric of the whole,Fair as the world, from either pole;Whose each part is Paradise,And Heaven both in and round it is;By thyself, when thee I view,I love thy all, and each part too.