On Absence, to Leonora

IF absence so much racks my Charmer's heart,
Believe that Strephon's bears a double smart,
So well he loves, and knows thy love so fine,
That in his Own distress he suffers Thine :
Yet, O forgive him, if his thoughts displease,
He would not, cannot wish Thee more at ease.

What need you bid me think of pleasures past ?
Was there one joy, whose image does not last ?
But that One ; most extatic, most refin'd.
Reigns fresh, and will for ever in my mind.
With such a power of charms it storm'd my soul.
That nothing ever can it's strength controul.
Not sleep, not age, not absence can avail,
Reflection, ever young, must still prevail.
What influence-divine did guide that hour.
Which gave to minutes the Almighty Power,
To fix (whilst other joys are not a span)
A pleasure lasting as the life of man.