Tixall Poetry/A Pastoral Protest of Love, by Damon to Stella

by unknown author

A Pastoral Protest of Love,

by

Damon to Stella.

 

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When I thee all o'er do view,
I all o'er must love thee too.
By that smooth forehead, where's exprest
The candour of thy purer breast;
By those twin-like stars that shine,
By those apples of thine eyn;
By each peachie-blossomed cheek,
And thy sattin skin, more sleek
And white than Floras whitest lillies,
Or the maiden daffodillies;
By that ivory ridge, thy nose;
By those double blanched rows
Of teeth, as in pure coral set,
So white, so smooth, so even met;
By those lips all dewed with bliss,
Made happy in each other's kiss;
By those silk tresses, soft as down
Of tender cygnets newly blown;
By that silver stately neck
Which those curls do grace and deck;
By each alabaster hand,
From which thy taper fingers stand;
By those pretty nimble feet,
Wont in skilful steps to meet;
By the neat fabric of the whole,
Fair as the world, from either pole;
Whose each part is Paradise,
And Heaven both in and round it is;
By thyself, when thee I view,
I love thy all, and each part too.