OF loving Venus, O Celestial Light! Hesperus, Usher of the sable Night, Tho' paler than the Moon, thou dost as far Transcend in brightness ev'ry other star. To my dear Shepherdess my steps befriend, In Luna's stead do thou thy conduct lend; With waning light, not long before the Sun, She rose, and now by this her course has run. No base intrigue this night I undertake, No journey I for common bus'ness make: I love, and bear within me Cupid's Fire, And all things should to lovers' aid conspire. |