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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO THE COUNTESS OF DORSET by EDWARD HERBERT

First Line: SINCE IN YOUR FACE, AS IN A BEAUTEOUS SPHERE
Last Line: OF LOVE AND HONOUR EQUAL CAUSE IMPART.

SINCE in your face, as in a beauteous sphere,
Delight and state so sweetly mix'd appear
That love 's not light, nor gravity severe,
All your attractive graces seem to draw
A modest rigour keepeth so in awe,
That in their turns each of them gives the law.

Therefore, though chaste and virtuous desire
Through that your native mildness may aspire,
Until a just regard it doth acquire,
Yet if love thence a forward hope project,
You can, by virtue of a sweet neglect,
Convert it straight to reverend respect.

Thus, as in your rare temper, we may find
An excellence so perfect in each kind,
That a fair body hath a fairer mind;
So all the beams you diversely do dart,
As well on th' understanding as the heart,
Of love and honour equal cause impart.



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