Katherine Philips(1632–1664)
To My Excellent Lucasia, on Our Friendship
I did not live until this time
C r o w n e d my felicity,
W h e n I c o u l d say without a crime,3
I am not thine, but thee.
This c a r c a s s breathed, a n d walked, a n d slept,
So that the world believed
T h e r e w a s a soul the m o t i o n s kept;4
B u t they were all deceived.
F o r as a w a t c h by art5 is w o u n d
To motion, such was mine:
B u t never h a d O r i n d a 6 f o u n d
A soul till she f o u n d thine;
W h i c h now inspires, c u r e s a n d supplies,
A n d guides m y d a r k e n e d breast:
F o r thou art all that I c a n prize,
My joy, my life, my rest.
N o bridegroom's nor c r o w n - c o n q u e r o r ' s mirth
T o m i n e c o m p a r e d c a n be:
T h e y have but p i e c e s of the earth,
I've all the world in thee.
T h e n let our f l a m e s still light a n d shine,
A n d no false fear control,
As innocent as our design,
I m m o r t a l as our soul.