To Hemiera

TEll me, individual Pair!
Beyond a Mediocrity of Fair!
Whose Beauties Heaven can scarce improve;
Whom I was born to love:

How shall I divide my Heart?
Tell me, ye that have there a double part.
Division multiplies my pains;
Distraction lays more weight upon my Chains.

When stately Idera I see,
I think of Jove's high love for Semele:
Love that in Thunder and in Lightning came;
Oh! my Soul burns to die by such a flame.

Hemiera, by Nature kind,
Has Idera's face wrought in her mind.
Her sweet temper melts my Soul:
Which Idera's imperious Eyes controul.

Idera with a haughty Air,
Affects to be thought something more than fair.
Hemiera is as good, as Idera's great:
High, courtly Idera! made for me and State.

Hemiera's melancholy Face
Has less Charms, but more of Grace:
Does both my Pity and my Love,
Those Springs of my Affections move.

Idera's comely Winter's pride,
With Hesperian Fruits supply'd;
Other proud Summers dare not vy,
Nor in her presence wear their Livery.

Hemiera's Autumn's youthful Bloud
Does sooner blossom, sooner bud,
Than other Springs with April-showers,
Dissolv'd into ubiquity of Flowers.

Idera on point of Honour stands,
My Soul by right of conquest she demands:
All that of my self is mine,
I to Hemiera resign.

But if Idera, with disdain,
Would make me fear, not love her, 'tis in vain:
She'll repent, when 'tis too late:
I'll sooner undergo Saguntum's Fate.

Me mea disperdat nullo prohibente puella,
Si satis una potest: si minus una, duae.