Classic Poem

1.

I' th' Autumn of a Summers day,
When all the Winds got leave to play;
Lucasta , that fair Ship, is lanch'd,
And from its crust this Almond blanch'd.

2.

Blow then, unruly Northwind, blow,
'Till in their holds your Eyes you stow;
And swell your Cheeks, bequeath chill Death:
See! she hath smil'd thee out of Breath.

3.

Court gentle Zephyr , court and fan
Her softer breast's carnation'd Wan;
Your charming Rhethorick of Down
Flyes scatter'd from before her frown.

4.

Say, my white Water-Lilly, say,
How is't those warm streams break away?
Cut by thy chast cold breast which dwells
Amidst them arm'd in Isicles.

5.

And the hot floods more raging grown
In flames of Thee, then in their own;
In their distempers wildly glow,
And kisse thy Pillar of fix'd Snow.

6.

No Sulphur, through whose each blew Vein
The thick and lazy Currents strein,
Can cure the Smarting, nor the fell
Blisters of Love wherewith they swell.

7.

These great Physicians of the Blind,
The Lame, and fatal Blains of Inde ,
In every drop themselves now see
Speckled with a new Leprosie.

8.

As Sick drinks are with old Wine dash'd,
Foul Waters too with Spirits wash'd;
Thou greiv'd, perchance, one tear let'st fall,
Which straight did purifie them all.

9.

And now is cleans'd enough the flood,
Which since runs cleare, as doth thy blood;
Of the wet Pearls uncrown thy hair,
And mantle thee with Ermin Air.

10.

Lucasta , hail! fair Conqueresse
Of Fire, Air, Earth, and Seas;
Thou whom all kneel to, yet even thou
Wilt unto Love, thy captive, bow.