Lover. YOUR beauty, ripe and calm and fresh
As eastern summers are,
Must now, forsaking time and flesh,
Add light to some small star.
Philosopher. Whilst she yet lives, were stars decay’d,
Their light by hers relief might find;
But Death will lead her to a shade
Where Love is cold and Beauty blind.
Lover. Lovers, whose priests all poets are,
Think every mistress, when she dies,
Is changed at least into a star:
And who dares doubt the poets wise?
Philosopher. But ask not bodies doom’d to die
To what abode they go;
Since Knowledge is but Sorrow’s spy,
It is not safe to know.
(Sir William Davenant)
More Poetry from Sir William Davenant:
Sir William Davenant Poems based on Topics: Wisdom & Knowledge, Love, Beauty, Literature, Poets, Philosophy- Ladies In Arms (Sir William Davenant Poems)
- The Coquet (Sir William Davenant Poems)
- Praise and Prayer (Sir William Davenant Poems)
- Weep No More For What Is Past (Sir William Davenant Poems)