1. FAirest thing that shines below, Why in this robe dost thou appear? Wouldst thou a white most perfect show, Thou must at all no garment wear: Thou wilt seem much whiter so, Than Winter when 'tis clad with Snow. 2. 'Tis not the Linnen shews so faire: Her skinne shines through, and makes it bright; So Clouds themselves like Suns appear, When the Sun pierces them with Light: So L does it selfe display, Like a starre plac'd i' th' Milky way. 4. Such robes the Saints departed wear, Woven all with Light divine; Such their exalted Bodies are, And with such full glory shine. But oh they 'tend not mortals' Pain; Men pray, I fear, to both in vaine. 5. Yet seeing thee so gently pure, My hopes will needs continue still; Thou wouldst not take this Garment sure, When thou hadst an Intent to kill. Of Peace and yeelding who would doubt, When the White Flag he sees hung out? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE EVE OF BUNKER HILL [JUNE 16, 1775] by CLINTON SCOLLARD THE BAREFOOT BOY by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER I WOULD BE THE SUN by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS LOUISA; A TALE by JANE BOWDLER THE GUERRILLA by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD UNDER THE TREES by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH CIVILIZATION by E. P. BROWNING SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 42 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |