Have you seen but a bright lily grow,
Before rude hands have touch’d it?
Ha’you mark’d but the fall o’ the snow
Before the soil hath smutch’d it?
Ha’you felt the wool o’ the beaver?
Or swan's down ever?
Or have smelt o' the bud o’ the briar?
Or the nard in the fire?
Or have tasted the bag of the bee?
Oh so white! Oh so soft! Oh so sweet is she!
Ben Jonson, 1572-1637 – “The Triumph of Charis” from Complete Poems

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