This mote from out his eye, this inward bur, And now proud rebel ’gan for to gainsay The lesson which but late he learn’d too far: Meaning with absence to refresh the thought To which her presence such a fever brought. Strephon did leap with joy and jollity, Thinking it just more therein to delight, Than in good dog, fair field, or shading tree. So have I seen trim-books in velvet dight, With golden leaves, and painted babery Of silly boys, please unacquainted sight: But when the rod began to play his part, Fain would, but could not, fly from golden smart. He quickly learn’d Urania was her name, And straight, for failing, grav’d it in his heart: He knew her haunt, and haunted in the same, And taught his sheep her sheep in food to thwart, Which soon as it did hateful question frame, {113} He might on knees confess his faulty part, And yield himself unto her punishment, While nought but game, the self-hurt wanton meant. Nay, even unto her home he oft would go, Where bold and hurtless many play he tries, Her parents liking well it should be so, For simple goodness shined in his eyes. There did he make her laugh in spite of woe, So as good thoughts of him in all arise, While into none doubt of his love did sink, For not himself to be in love did think. But glad desire, his late embosom’d guest Yet but a babe, with milk of sight he nurst Desire the more he suck’d, more sought the breast, Like dropsy-folk still drink to be a thirst, ’Till one fair ev’n an hour ere sun did rest, Who then in lion’s cave did enter first, By neighbours pray’d she went abroad thereby, At Barley-break[b1-06] her sweet swift foot to try. Never the earth on his round shoulders bare A maid train’d up from high or low degree, That in her doings better could compare Mirth with respect, from words with courtesy, A careless comliness with comely care. Self-guard with mildness, sport with majesty: Which made her yield to deck this shepherd’s band, And still, believe me, Strephon was at hand. Afield they go, where many lookers be, And thou seek-sorrow Claius them among: Indeed thou said’st it was thy friend to see Strephon, whose absence seem’d unto thee long, While most with her he less did keep with thee. No, no, it was in spite of wisdom’s song Which absence wish’d: love play’d a victor’s part: The heav’n-love load-stone drew thy iron heart. Then couples there, be straight allotted there, They of both ends the middle two do fly, They two that in mid-place, hell called were, Must strive with waiting foot, and watching eye To catch of them, and them to hell to bear, That they, as well as they, hell may supply: Like some which seek to salve their blotted name With others’ blot, ’till all do taste of shame. There may you see, soon as the middle two Do coupled towards either couple make, They false and fearful do their hands undo, {114}