322. THE BRACELET TO JULIA. Why I tie about thy wrist, Julia, this my silken twist; For what other reason is't, But to show thee how, in part, Thou my pretty captive art? But thy bondslave is my heart; 'Tis but silk that bindeth thee, Knap the thread and thou art free: But 'tis otherwise with me; I am bound, and fast bound, so That from thee I cannot go; If I could, I would not so. 323. THE CHRISTIAN MILITANT. A man prepar'd against all ills to come, That dares to dead the fire of martyrdom; That sleeps at home, and sailing there at ease, Fears not the fierce sedition of the seas; That's counter-proof against the farm's mishaps, Undreadful too of courtly thunderclaps; That wears one face, like heaven, and never shows A change when fortune either comes or goes; That keeps his own strong guard in the despite Of what can hurt by day or harm by night; That takes and re-delivers every stroke Of chance (as made up all of rock and oak); That sighs at others' death, smiles at his own Most dire and horrid crucifixion. Who for true glory suffers thus, we grant Him to be here our Christian militant. 324. A SHORT HYMN TO LAR. Though I cannot give thee fires Glittering to my free desires; These accept, and I'll be free, Offering poppy unto thee. 325. ANOTHER TO NEPTUNE. Mighty Neptune, may it please Thee, the rector of the seas, That my barque may safely run Through thy watery region; And a tunny-fish shall be Offered up with thanks to thee. 327. HIS EMBALMING TO JULIA. For my embalming, Julia, do but this; Give thou my lips but their supremest kiss, Or else transfuse thy breath into the chest Where my small relics must for ever rest; That breath the balm, the myrrh, the nard shall be, To give an incorruption unto me. 328. GOLD BEFORE GOODNESS. How rich a man is all desire to know; But none inquires if good he be or no. 329. THE KISS. A DIALOGUE. 1. Among thy fancies tell me this, What is the thing we call a kiss? 2. I shall resolve ye what it is. It is a creature born and bred Between the lips (all cherry-red), By love and warm desires fed. _Chor._ And makes more soft the bridal bed. 2. It is an active flame that flies, First, to the babies of the eyes; And charms them there with lullabies. _Chor._ And stills the bride, too, when she cries. 2. Then to the chin, the cheek, the ear, It frisks and flies, now here, now there, 'Tis now far off, and then 'tis near. _Chor._ And here and there and everywhere. 1. Has it a speaking virtue? 2. Yes. 1. How speaks it, say? 2. Do you but this; Part your joined lips, then speaks your kiss _Chor._ And this love's sweetest language is.