Stand prepared to
heighten
yours.
Marvell - Poems
Pass away my silent age.
Thus, when, without noise, unknown,
I have lived out all my span,
I shall die, without a groan.
An old honest countryman.
Who, exposed to other's eyes.
Into his own heart never pries.
Death to him*s a strange surprise.
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OF MARy£LL. 109
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE RESOLVED
SOUL, AND CREATED PLEASURE.
Courage, my soul ! now learn to wield
The weight of thine immortal shield ;
Close on thy head thy helmet bright ;
Balance thy sword against the fight ;
See where an army, strong as fair,
With silken banners spread the air !
Now, if thou be'st that thing divine,
In this day's combat let it shine.
And show that nature wants an art
To conquer one resolved heart.
PLEASURE.
Welcome ; the creation's guest,
Lord of earth, and heaven's heir I
Lay aside that warlike crest,
And of nature's banquet share.
Where the souls of fruits and flowers.
Stand prepared to heighten yours.
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110 THE POEMS
SOUL.
I sup above, and cannot stay,
To bait so long upon the way.
PLEASURE.
On these downy pillows lie,
Whose soft plumes will thither fly :
On these roses, strewed so plain
Lest one leaf thy side should strain.
80UL.
My gentler rest is on a thought,
Conscious of doing what I ought.
PLEASURE.
If thou be*st with perfumes pleased,
Such as ofl the gods appeased,
Thou in fragrant clouds shalt show.
Like another god below.
SOUL.
A soul that knows not to presume.
Is Heaven's, and its own, perfume.
PLEASURE.
Every thing does seem to vie
Which should first attract thine eye :
But since none deserves that grace,
In this crystal view thy face.
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OP MARVELL.
