I did not live until this time
Crown’d my felicity,
When I could say without a crime,
I am not Thine, but Thee.
This Carkasse breath’d, and walk’d, and slept,
So that the world believ’d
There was a soule the motions kept;
But they were all deceiv’d.
For as a watch by art is wound
To motion, such was mine:
But never had Orinda found
A Soule till she found thine;
Which now inspires, cures and supply’s,
And guides my darken’d brest:
For thou art all that I can prize,
My Joy, my Life, my rest.
Nor Bridegroomes nor crown’d conqu’rour’s mirth
To mine compar’d can be:
They have but pieces of this Earth,
I’ve all the world in thee.
Then let our flame still light and shine,
(And no false feare controule)
As inocent as our design,
Immortall as our Soule.
Katharine Philips, 1631-1664 – “To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship.
17th. July 1651″ from Penguin Book of English Verse
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