To Mrs. Mary Nichols

WHat Angel's voice thus ecchoes thrô the Sky,
Thus rowls along, and breaks in Harmony?
Rejoyce, rejoyce, for thy Redemption's nigh.
Ah! what soft welcome Airs salute my Ears!
Airs! that enchant the Stars, and charm the Spheres!
The Clouds all melt away! succeeding Light
And glorious Pomp dazle my fixed sight!
The Elements give back, and bow the knee,
Whilst Seraphs dance unto the Melody;
But I alone stand weeping by the Tree:
Not yet the Tree of Life, a melancholy Cross;
There seek for Remedy, and bewail my loss.
For in my Saviour's absence, that long while,
Nothing could force, no not a feigned smile;
Nor make me blot the Copy he had set,
Whose Eyes were never wanton, often wet;
Whose Sufferings Agonies, drops of Bloud his Sweat.
But now He's come! the Herald did proclaim,
And bow'd with Reverence at his Sacred Name.
My ravish'd Soul fell down before his Throne,
And now I knew it was the Holy One.
'Twas my Beloved I had sought so long,
Whom I had found, had I not sought him wrong.
And art thou come?—And is it thou, blest Dove?—
Can I believe my Eyes, or trust my Love?
Pardon, dear Jesu! such a jealous Faith;
Thô weak my Trust, my Love's as strong as Death.
Pardon me too, for since I saw thee last,
The Flouds have laid my fruitful Garden wast.
Alas! what pleasure could a Widow take,
Who only lov'd that Garden for thy sake!
What's all the rest, when Sharon's Rose is gone?
The Rose that's all my Garden's Sweets in one?
Let me but hugg that Rose within my Breast,
And then, my Love! let who's will take the rest.
No—that has lain all open to the South,
And I have only kiss'd thy hands and feet;
Now kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth,
The kisses of thy mouth, for they are sweet!
My Spouse, let me suck up thy fragrant breath,
For ah! my Love's as strong as Wine or Death.
For a Kiss for our last parting I must sue;
And one at meeting justly is my due.
Pay all thy Debts for absence, these and more,
With usury pay off that divine Score.
Do not my Passion, O my Spouse! disdain,
Nor let my Sighs and Tears be all in vain:
But give me Balmy Kisses in exchange,
Nor let unhappy Absence make thee strange.
Come—let us strive which first their Lips can joyn,
Which can the closest to their Rivals twine;
Until our strugling Spirits both release,
Till these our Seconds make a perfect peace.
Victorious Captives both with joy return,
Both with new Love and Emulation burn.
As for my Soul, thou shalt new life inspire,
In gratitude with zeal I'll blow the Fire.
Come then—dear Jesu! come—and no more part,
But take the full possession of my Heart.