To Amasia ("Whence, whence your Charms; whence")

Whence, whence your Charms; whence your engaging Pow'rs?
Why do I wish to be for ever yours?
Something peculiar in your form is seen,
And something strangely taking in your Mien.
Something there is, unknown, allures my Soul,
Does all my Thoughts, and all my sense controul,
Divine in every part, Angelick in the whole.
Now, your Seraphick shape I wond'ring, Praise,
Then, at each motion, every Gesture gaze,
But when your Face I view —
My sense lies Buried in a Thoughtless maze.
Others, to move, may their whole Beauties Arm,
But you with every smallest part can Charm,
Continue cold your self, yet all beholders warm.
Yet this alone ne'er cou'd such Passion move,
This could not make me, ev'n to madness, Love.
Curst be the hour, when I beheld you first,
Curst be the Day, thro' long, long Ages Curst,
Curst be the time, when I presum'd to sue,
And Court, with humblest Love, the proud, imperious you.
Then, then it was your Sense engag'd me more,
Than all that Beauty had display'd before.
Strange! that indulgent Heav'n all Charms should give;
Strange! that Minerva should in Venus live!
But, stranger yet! you Hate, for Love, return;
'Tis hard to know —
Whether your sense be greater or your scorn.