Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/402

 RICHARD CRASHAW

May she enjoy it

Whose merit dare apply it,

But modesty dares still deny it!

Such worth as this is

Shall fix my flying Wishes,

And determine them to kisses.

Let her full glory,

My fancies, fly before ye;

Be ye my fictions but her story.

��34<5 The Weeper

HAIL, sister springs, Parents of silver-footed rills! Ever bubbling things, Thawing crystal, snowy hills!

Still spending, never spent, I mean Thy fair eyes, sweet Magdalene.

Heavens thy fair eyes be, Heavens of ever- falling stars;

'Tis seed-time still with thee, And stars thou sow'st whose harvest dares Promise the earth to countershine Whatever makes Heaven's forehead fine.

Every morn from hence A brisk cherub something sips

Whose soft influence Adds sweetness to his sweetest lips; Then to his music' and his song Tastes of this breakfast all day long.

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