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I thought to move this dame to love, But she was gone already :

Wherefore I pray, that those who stay May find their loves as steady!

PHINEAS FLETCHER,

Cousin to the celebrated dramatic writer, was author of the "Purple Island," "Piscatory Eclogues," "Locustæ," and of a dramatic work intitled "Sicelides," 1631. For his poetical character, the reader is referred to Mr. Headley's "Select Specimens of English Poetry."

LOVE.

LOVE'S SOO

sooner felt than seen; his substance thinne Betwixt those snowy mounts in ambush lies; Oft in the eyes he spreads his subtle ginne;

He therefore soonest wins that fastest flies. Fly thence, my dear, fly fast, my Thomalin, Who him encounters once, for ever dies. But if he lurk between the ruddy lips, Unhappy soul, that thence his nectar sips, While down into his heart the sugar'd poison slips.

Oft in a voice he creeps down thro' the ear,
Oft from a blushing cheek he lights his fire:
Oft shrouds his golden flame in likest hair;

Oft in a soft smooth skin doth close retire:

Oft in a smile: oft in a silent tear:

And if all fail, yet virtue's self he'll hire.

Himself's a dart, when nothing else can move: Who then the captive soul can well reprove, When love and virtue's self become the darts of love.

"I speak not this with a false heart,

"(Wherewith his hand she gently strain'd) "Or that would change a love maintain'd "With so much love on either part.

"Nay, I protest, though death with his "Worst counsel should divide us here, "His terrors could not make me fear

"To come where your loved presence is.

"Only, if love's fire with the breath "Of life be kindled, I doubt,

"With our last air 'twill be breath'd out, "And quenched with the cold of death."

Then, with a look, it seem'd, denied
All earthly power but hers, yet so
As if to her breath he did owe
This borrow'd life, he thus replied:

"And shall our love, so far beyond "That low and dying appetite,

"And which so chaste desires unite, "Not hold in an eternal bond?

"O no, beloved! I am most sure 04
"Those virtuous habits we acquire,
"As being with the soul entire,
"Must with it evermore endure.'

"Else should our souls in vain elect; "And vainer yet were heaven's laws, "When to an everlasting cause They gave a perishing effect.

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"Nor here on earth then, nor above, "Our good affection can impair: "For where God doth admit the fair, "Think you that he excludeth love?

"These eyes again thine eyes shall see, "And hands again these hands enfold; "And all chaste pleasures can be told "Shall with us everlasting be.

"For if no use of sense remain

"When bodies once this life forsake, "Or they could no delight partake, "Why should they ever rise again?

"Let then no doubt, Celinda, touch, "Much less your fairest mind invade : "Were not our souls immortal made, "Our equal loves can make them such.”

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