Classic Poem

Though it be Just to grieve when I must part
With him that is the Guardian of my heart;
Yet, by a happy change, the losse of mine
Is with advantage paid in having thine;
And I (by that deare Guest instructed) find
Absence can doe no hurt to souls combin'd.
And we were born to love; brought to agree
By the impressions of divine decree:
So when united nearer we became,
It did not weaken, but increase, our flame
Unlike to those who distant Joys admire,
But slight them when possest of their desire,
Each of our souls did its own temper fit,
And in the other's mold so fashion'd it,
That now our inclinations both are grown,
Like to our interests and persons, One;
And souls whom such an Union fortify's,
Passion can ne're betray, nor fate surprize
Now as in watches, though we doe not know
When the hand moves, we find it still doth go:
So I, by secret sympathy inclin'd,
Will absent meet, and understand thy mind;
And thou, at thy return, shalt find thy heart
Still safe, with all the Love thou didst impart:
For though that treasure I have ne're deserv'd,
It shall with strong religion be preserv'd
But besides this thou shalt in me survey
Thy self reflected while thou art away:
For what some forward arts do undertake,
The images of absent friends to make,
And represent their actions in a Glasse,
Friendship it self can onely bring to passe:
That magique which both fate and time beguiles,
And in a moment runs a thousand miles
So in my brest thy Picture drawn shall be,
My guide, life, object, friend, and destiny:
And none shall know, though they employ their wit,
Which is the right Antenor, thou, or it.