Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PLATONIC [OR, PLATONICK] LOVE (3), by EDWARD HERBERT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PLATONIC [OR, PLATONICK] LOVE (3), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Madam, your beauty and your lovely parts
Last Line: Will turn, and circle, with their rays, your face.
Alternate Author Name(s): Cherbury, 1st Baron Herbert Of; Herbert Of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron; Herbert Of Cherbury, Lord
Subject(s): Love - Nature Of


MADAM, your beauty and your lovely parts
Would scarce admit poetic praise and arts
As they are love's most sharp and piercing darts;
Though, as again they only wound and kill
The more deprav'd affections of our will,
You claim a right to commendation still.

For as you can unto that height refine
All love's delights, as while they do incline
Unto no vice they so become divine,
We may as well attain your excellence,
As without help of any outward sense
Would make us grow a pure intelligence.

And as a soul, thus being quite abstract,
Complies not properly with any act
Which from its better being may detract,
So through the virtuous habits you infuse,
It is enough that we may like and choose,
Without presuming yet to take or use.

Thus angels in their starry orbs proceed
Unto affection, without other need
Than that they still on contemplation feed;
Though, as they may unto this orb descend,
You can, when you would so much lower bend,
Give joys beyond what man can comprehend.

Do not refuse then, madam, to appear,
Since every radiant beam comes from your sphere
Can so much more than any else endear,
As while through them we do discern each grace,
The multiplied lights from every place
Will turn, and circle, with their rays, your face.





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