1. 'TIS a strange kinde of Ignorance this in you! That you your Victories should not spy, Victories gotten by your Eye! That your bright beames, as those of Comets doe. Should kill, but not know How, nor Who. 2. That truly you my Idoll might appeare, Whilst all the People smell and see The odorous flames I offer thee, Thou sit'st, and dost not see, nor smell, nor heare Thy constant zealous worshipper, 3. They see 't too well, who at my fires repine; Nay, th' unconcern'd themselves doe prove Quick-Ey'd enough to spy my Love; Nor does the Cause in thy Face clearelier shine, Then the Effect appeares in mine. 4. Fair Infidell! by what unjust decree Must I, who with such restlesse care Would make this truth to thee appeare, Must I, who preach it, and pray for it, bee Damn'd by thy incredulitie? 5. I by thy Vnbeliefe am guiltlesse slaine. O have but Faith, and then that you May know that Faith for to be true, It shall it selfe by 'a Miracle maintaine, And raise me from the Dead againe. 6. Meane while my Hopes may seem to be orethrowne, But Lovers' Hopes are full of Art, And thus dispute, that since my Heart, Though in thy Brest, yet is not by thee knowne, Perhaps thou may'st not know thine Own. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WINDFLOWER LEAF by CARL SANDBURG THE LITTLE ELF-MAN by JOHN KENDRICK BANGS RABBI BEN EZRA by ROBERT BROWNING SONNET TO A CLAM by JOHN GODFREY SAXE LINES TO A BEAUTIFUL AND BUS-RIDING LADY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS AT ELLIS ISLAND by MARGARET LIVINGSTON CHANLER ALDRICH |