1
Indeed I must confess,
When souls mix ’ tis an happiness,
But not complete till bodies too do join,
And both our wholes into one whole combine;
But half of heaven the souls in glory taste
Till by love in heaven at last
Their bodies too are placed.
2
In thy immortal part
Man, as well as I, thou art.
But something ’ tis that differs thee and me,
And we must one even in that difference be.
I thee both as a man and woman prize,
For a perfect love implies
Love in all capacities.
3
Can that for true love pass
When a fair woman courts her glass?
Something unlike must in love’ s likeness be:
His wonder is one and variety.
For he whose soul nought but a soul can move
Does a new Narcissus prove,
And his own image love.
4
That souls do beauty know
’ Tis to the body’ s help they owe;
If when they know’ t they straight abuse that trust
And shut the body from’ t, ’ tis as unjust
As if I brought my dearest friend to see
My mistress and at th’ instant he
Should steal her quite from me.