Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/398

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345. Gratiana Dancing

She beat the happy pavèment—
By such a star made firmament,
  Which now no more the roof envìes!
    But swells up high, with Atlas even,
    Bearing the brighter nobler heaven,
  And, in her, all the deities.

Each step trod out a Lover's thought,
And the ambitious hopes he brought
  Chain'd to her brave feet with such arts,
    Such sweet command and gentle awe,
    As, when she ceased, we sighing saw
  The floor lay paved with broken hearts.


346. To Amarantha, that she would dishevel her Hair

Amarantha sweet and fair,
Ah, braid no more that shining hair!
As my curious hand or eye
Hovering round thee, let it fly!

Let it fly as unconfined
As its calm ravisher the wind,
Who hath left his darling, th' East,
To wanton o'er that spicy nest.

Every tress must be confest,
But neatly tangled at the best;
Like a clew of golden thread
Most excellently ravellèd.