Tenth Song

O dear life, when shall it be

That mine eyes thine eyes may see;

And in them thy mind discover,

Whether absence hath had force,

Thy remembrance to divorce

From the image of thy lover?

Or if I myself find not,

After parting, aught forgot:

Nor debarr'd from Beauty's treasure,

Let no tongue aspire to tell

In what high joys I shall dwell,

Only Thought aims at the pleasure.

Thought, therefore, I will send thee

To take up the place for me:

Long I will not after tarry:

There, unseen, thou may'st be bold,

Those fair wonders to behold,

Which in them my hopes do carry.

Thought, see thou no place forbear,

Enter bravely everywhere;

Seize on all to her belonging:

But, if thou wouldst guarded be,

Fearing her beams, take with thee

Strength of liking, rage of longing.

Think of that most grateful time,

When thy leaping heart will climb,

In my lips to have his biding;

There those roses for to kiss,

Which do breathe a sugar'd bliss,

Opening rubies, pearls dividing.

Think of my most princely power,

Which I, blessed, shall devour

With my greedy lick'rous senses,

Beauty, music, sweetness, love,

While she doth against me prove

Her strong darts but weak defences.

Think, think of those dairyings,

When with dove-like murmurings,

With glad moaning passed anguish,

We change eyes; and heart for heart,

Each to other do depart,

Joying till joy makes us languish.

O my thought! my thoughts surcease,

Thy delights my woes increase;

My life melts with too much thinking:

Think no more, but die in me,

Till thou shalt revived be,

At her lips my nectar drinking.