A Paraphrase on the CANTICLES.
CHAP. I.
(1)
Wilt thou deny the bounty of a Kiss,
And see me languish for the Melting bliss?
More sweet to me than bright delicious Wine,
Prest from the Purple clusters of the Vine:
As Fragrant too as Ointments poured forth,
Are the loud Eccho's of thy matchless worth;
Which makes the Virgins, kindled by thy fame,
Wish to expire in the Celestial Flame:
Come then, display thy Lovely Face, and we,
Drawn by resistless Charmes, will follow thee;
Into thy Royal Chambers brought, where I,
May see my Lord, and fear no Witness by.
I'm black, tis true, for scorching in the Sun;
I kept anothers Vine, and left my own;
But tho thus Clouded, the reflecting Face
Of my Bright Love shall all this blackness chase.
Say then my Dear, much dearer than my Soul;
Where feed thy Milky Flocks? Unto what cool
Refreshing Shade dost thou resort? least I
Should (as I languish) in thy absence dye:
Say, Lovely Shepherd, say, What happy Streams
Are gilded now with thy Illustrious Beams?
(2)
I'll tell thee, Fairest of all Women, how,
Thou maist my most frequented Pastures know:
Follow the Footsteps of my Flocks, and there
I will not fail to Meet my Charming Fair.
Whom I, as Mistress of my Flocks will Grace,
And on her Brows immortal Garlands Place.
(3)
The while my Spicknard shall ascend, and Greet
My Charmer with its Tributary Sweet:
Then, all the Night, upon my Panting Breast,
As Fragrant Mirrh; let my Beloved Rest.
So, Sweet is he, that Mirrh, nor Cypress ere
With such Delicious Breathings fill'd the Air.
When thy Two Lovely Eyes Inflame my Heart,
It leaps for Joy, and meets th'unerring Dart.
(4)
Oh thou more Fair, more vastly bright, then all
The World did ever Bright, or Glorious call:
My Verdant Love still flourishing, to thee
Shall fixt, as our Eternal Mansions be.
CHAP. I.
(1)
Wilt thou deny the bounty of a Kiss,
And see me languish for the Melting bliss?
More sweet to me than bright delicious Wine,
Prest from the Purple clusters of the Vine:
As Fragrant too as Ointments poured forth,
Are the loud Eccho's of thy matchless worth;
Which makes the Virgins, kindled by thy fame,
Wish to expire in the Celestial Flame:
Come then, display thy Lovely Face, and we,
Drawn by resistless Charmes, will follow thee;
Into thy Royal Chambers brought, where I,
May see my Lord, and fear no Witness by.
I'm black, tis true, for scorching in the Sun;
I kept anothers Vine, and left my own;
But tho thus Clouded, the reflecting Face
Of my Bright Love shall all this blackness chase.
Say then my Dear, much dearer than my Soul;
Where feed thy Milky Flocks? Unto what cool
Refreshing Shade dost thou resort? least I
Should (as I languish) in thy absence dye:
Say, Lovely Shepherd, say, What happy Streams
Are gilded now with thy Illustrious Beams?
(2)
I'll tell thee, Fairest of all Women, how,
Thou maist my most frequented Pastures know:
Follow the Footsteps of my Flocks, and there
I will not fail to Meet my Charming Fair.
Whom I, as Mistress of my Flocks will Grace,
And on her Brows immortal Garlands Place.
(3)
The while my Spicknard shall ascend, and Greet
My Charmer with its Tributary Sweet:
Then, all the Night, upon my Panting Breast,
As Fragrant Mirrh; let my Beloved Rest.
So, Sweet is he, that Mirrh, nor Cypress ere
With such Delicious Breathings fill'd the Air.
When thy Two Lovely Eyes Inflame my Heart,
It leaps for Joy, and meets th'unerring Dart.
(4)
Oh thou more Fair, more vastly bright, then all
The World did ever Bright, or Glorious call:
My Verdant Love still flourishing, to thee
Shall fixt, as our Eternal Mansions be.