Page:Poets of John Company.djvu/24

2 But ah! sweet maid, my counsel hear (Youth should attend when those advise Whom long experience renders sage): While musick charms the ravish'd ear; While sparkling cups delight our eyes, Be gay; and scorn the frowns of age.

What cruel answer have I heard? And yet, by heaven, I love thee still: Can aught be cruel from thy lip? Yet say, how fell that bitter word From lips which streams of sweetness fill, Which nought but drops of honey sip?

Go boldly forth, my simple lay, Whose accents flow with artless ease. Like orient pearls at random strung: Thy notes are sweet, the damsels say; But O! far sweeter, if they please The nymph for whom these notes are sung.

Spirit of Spirits, who, through ev'ry part
 * Of space expanded and of endless time,
 * Beyond the stretch of lab'ring thought sublime,
 * Badst uproar into beauteous order start.
 * Before Heav'n was, Thou art:

Ere spheres beneath us roll'd or spheres above.
 * Ere earth in firmamental ether hung,
 * Thou satst alone; till, through thy mystic Love,
 * Things unexisting to existence sprung,
 * And grateful descant sung.