Classic Poem

Draw that black vail, (my fair one) do not shrowd
Those eyes in silken mists, or in a cloud
Of waving Curle : be mercifull, appear
Like thy bright self, and bring the infant Year
Into the world ; old Time her Mother's run
Into so dull a Lethargie ; the Sun
Is frozen in his couch, and cannot rise
Til thaw'd by th' temp'rate vertue of thine eies,
Those soft and gentle Stars, whose pure and clear
Rayes, from the Chaos would have forc'd the year.
Up then, Illustrious Beautie, gild the day;
Change Januarie into youthfull May.
See the cold earth does Winters liv'rie shift,
Off'ring the fresh Spring as your New-years Gift ;
While the pale Couslip does the Primrose call
To wait on You at this new Festivall,
Created by your beams ; the Winds invite
The nimble winged messengers of light,
The early Lark, and chirping Thrush to tune
Their notes as chearfully, as when in June
They softly whisper to the azure skie
Of a clear day, a beauteous Augurie.
How trivial is a Poets force ! I can
Teach birds t'admire you, the rich Ocean
Tender its mines of Pearl, the Earth salute
Thee with its choisest metals, flowrs and fruit.
Impose a tribute on the Sun, force Stars
T' adore you more than erring Mariners
Do them in Tempests. But when I impart
An off'ring on the Alter of my heart
To thy commanding Deity, I can pay
Nought but a wreath of Mirtle or of Bay,
A Poets humble sacrifice ; unlesse
My wishes (which realitie expresse,
Though unperform'd) may guiltlesly aspire
To die the Martyrs of your sacred fire.
May all the happinesse Heav'n can conferre
Be acted on your lives faire Theater :
May you be chast as beautifull ; mischance
Never disturbe your peace, not in a trance:
May you live long, and healthfull : may no page
Of your lives volume, have a line for Age
To write his gastly name in ; but when Time
Grows old and sickly on you, and does clime
With eager feet, your hill of youth, may all
His steps be slip'rie, may he backward fall
Beyond his fates recoverie, till hee bring
Your fading minutes back into the spring
Of strength and beauty, 'till your cheek does wear
The same bright lustre that adorns this year.
Which I doe wish the power of gentle Fate
May to my Love and yours make fortunate.