Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/499

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405. To a Lady asking him how long he would love her

It is not, Celia, in our power
  To say how long our love will last;
It may be we within this hour
  May lose those joys we now do taste;
The Blessèd, that immortal be,
From change in love are only free.

Then since we mortal lovers are,
  Ask not how long our love will last;
But while it does, let us take care
  Each minute be with pleasure past:
Were it not madness to deny
To live because we're sure to die?



THOMAS TRAHERNE

1637?-1674


406. News

    News from a foreign country came
        As if my treasure and my wealth lay there;
    So much it did my heart inflame,
'Twas wont to call my Soul into mine ear;
        Which thither went to meet
            The approaching sweet,
        And on the threshold stood
    To entertain the unknown Good.
            It hover'd there
        As if 'twould leave mine ear,