Thus I have told thee all my State, and brought

My Storie to the sum of earthly bliss

Which I enjoy, and must confess to find

In all things else delight indeed, but such

As usd or not, works in the mind no change, [ 525 ]

Nor vehement desire, these delicacies

I mean of Taste, Sight, Smell, Herbs, Fruits and Flours,

Walks, and the melodie of Birds; but here

Farr otherwise, transported I behold,

Transported touch; here passion first I felt, [ 530 ]

Commotion strange, in all enjoyments else

Superiour and unmovd, here onely weake

Against the charm of Beauties powerful glance.

Or Nature faild in mee, and left some part

Not proof enough such Object to sustain, [ 535 ]

Or from my side subducting, took perhaps

More then enough; at least on her bestowd

Too much of Ornament, in outward shew

Elaborate, of inward less exact.

For well I understand in the prime end [ 540 ]

Of Nature her th inferiour, in the mind

And inward Faculties, which most excell,

In outward also her resembling less

His Image who made both, and less expressing

The character of that Dominion givn [ 545 ]

Ore other Creatures; yet when I approach

Her loveliness, so absolute she seems

And in her self compleat, so well to know

Her own, that what she wills to do or say,

Seems wisest, vertuousest, discreetest, best; [ 550 ]

All higher knowledge in her presence falls

Degraded, Wisdom in discourse with her

Looses discountnanct, and like folly shewes;

Authority and Reason on her waite,

As one intended first, not after made [ 555 ]

Occasionally; and to consummate all,

Greatness of mind and nobleness thir seat

Build in her loveliest, and create an awe

About her, as a guard Angelic plact.