Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/487

 Never so happily in one Did heaven and earth combine: And yet 'tis flesh and blood alone That makes her so divine.

CHARLES COTTON

1630-1687

396. To Cœlia

When, Cœlia, must my old day set, And my young morning rise In beams of joy so bright as yet Ne'er bless'd a lover's eyes? My state is more advanced than when I first attempted thee: I sued to be a servant then, But now to be made free.

I've served my time faithful and true, Expecting to be placed In happy freedom, as my due, To all the joys thou hast: Ill husbandry in love is such A scandal to love's power, We ought not to misspend so much As one poor short-lived hour.

Yet think not, sweet, I'm weary grown. That I pretend such haste; Since none to surfeit e'er was known Before he had a taste: My infant love could humbly wait When, young, it scarce knew how To plead; but grown to man's estate, He is impatient now.