Fair as unshaded light

Fair as unshaded light, or as the day

In its first birth, when all the year was May;

Sweet as the altar's smoke, or as the new

Unfolded bud, swelled by the early dew;

Smooth as the face of waters first appeared,

Ere rides began to strive or winds were heard;

Kind as the willing saints, and calmer far

Than in their sleeps forgiven hermits are:

You, that are more than our discreeter fear

Dares praise, with such full art what makes you here?

Here, where the summer is so little seen,

That leaves (her cheapest wealth) scarce reach at green;

You come, as if the silver planet were

Misled awhile from her much injured sphere,

And t'ease the travails of her beams tonight,

In this small lantern would contract her light.