To His Love When He Had Obtained Her

 Now Serena be not coy, 
Since we freely may enjoy 
Sweet embraces, such delights, 
As will shorten tedious nights. 
Think that beauty will not stay 
With you always, but away, 
And that tyrannizing face 
That now holds such perfect grace 
Will both changed and ruined be; 
So frail is all things as we see, 
So subject unto conquering Time. 
Then gather flowers in their prime, 
Let them not fall and perish so; 
Nature her bounties did bestow 
On us that we might use them, and 
'Tis coldness not to understand 
What she and youth and form persuade 
With opportunity that's made 
As we could wish it. Let's, then, meet 
Often with amorous lips, and greet 
Each other till our wanton kisses 
In number pass the day Ulysses 
Consumed in travel, and the stars 
That look upon our peaceful wars 
With envious luster. If this store 
Will not suffice, we'll number o'er 
The same again, until we find 
No number left to call to mind 
And show our plenty. They are poor 
That can count all they have and more.

Form: Heroic Couplet Comments

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace