EUL. A mind content, O, 'tis a mind of pearl: A mint of golden thoughts, a heaven on earth! When eager longers meet full-butt their scope, And hopes are actuated beyond hope. So Jason joy'd, the golden fleece obtain'd; So Hercules joy'd, the golden fruit being gain'd; So Venus joy'd the golden ball to hold; So Midas joy'd when he turn'd all to gold. So, and much more, rejoic'd the Phrygian swain, When he convey'd the fairest (except mine), Which air did ever kiss. His brazen keel, Proud of her burden, slic'd the capering brine: The Tritons blew their horns, and sea-gods dance. Before, behind, about his ship they prance: The mermaids skip on high, but to compare Their dangling tresses with her silken hair-- These were but shadows of my bliss. A robe Of pure beatitude wraps me round about, Without a speck or blemish; nor can invention Wish more unto me than I have--Landora. I'm rich, free, learned, honour'd--all in this. Who dares conceive against the female sex But one base thought? Lo, here I stand their champion, And will maintain he is a beast, a devil, Begot between a bitch-wolf and an incubus. Women, all-good, all-perfect and all-gracious, Men-making creatures, angels clad in flesh; Let me adore your name! HIR. And let me speak Why, Landora loves not you, but me in you. EUL. But I in you enjoy Landora's love. HIR. But she enjoys not your love, 'cause unknown. EUL. No matter, I in you or you in me, So that I still possess my dearest dear. A paltry fancy last night in her bed Turmoil'd my thoughts, which since I shap'd in rhymes. Thus. HIR. Prythee let's hear: I know thou art turn'd poet. _The Dream._