HENRY KING

Beyond that wish, all these now cancel must,

As if not writ in faith, but words and dust.

Yet witness those clear vows which lovers make,

Witness the chaste desires that never brake

Into unruly heats ; witness that breast

Which in thy bosom anchored his whole rest

'Tis no default in us : I dare acquite

Thy maiden faith, thy purpose fair and white

As thy pure self. Cross planets did envy

Us to each other, and Heaven did untie

Faster than vows could bind. Oh, that the stars,

When lovers meet, should stand opposed in wars !

Since then some higher Destinies command,

Let us not strive, nor labour to withstand

What is past help. The longest date of grief

Can never yield a hope of our relief:

Fold back our arms ; take home our fruitless loves,

That must new fortunes try, like turtle-doves

Dislodged from their haunts. We must in tears

Unwind a love knit up in many years.

In this last kiss I here surrender thee

Back to thyself. So, thou again art free :

Thou in another, sad as that, resend

The truest heart that lover e'er did lend.

Now turn from each : so fare our sever'd hearts

As the divorced soul from her body parts.

280. Kxeyuy on his Wife

A CCEPT, thou shrine of my dead saint,

Instead of dirges this complaint ; And for sweet flowers to crown thy herse Receive a strew of weeping verse

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