Why I tie about thy wrist, Julia, this silken twist; For what other reason is’t But to show thee how, in part, Thou my pretty captive art? But thy bond-slave 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. _261._ _To Daisies, not to shut so soon_ Shut not so soon; the dull-eyed night Has not as yet begun To make a seizure on the light, Or to seal up the sun. No marigolds yet closèd are, No shadows great appear; Nor doth the early shepherd’s star Shine like a spangle here. Stay but till my Julia close Her life-begetting eye, And let the whole world then dispose Itself to live or die. _262._ _The Night-piece: To Julia_ Her eyes the glow-worm lend thee, The shooting stars attend thee; And the elves also, Whose little eyes glow Like the sparks of fire, befriend thee. No Will-o’-the-wisp mislight thee, Nor snake or slow-worm bite thee; But on, on thy way Not making a stay, Since ghost there’s none to affright thee. Let not the dark thee cumber: What though the moon does slumber? The stars of the night Will lend thee their light Like tapers clear without number. Then, Julia, let me woo thee, Thus, thus to come unto me; And when I shall meet Thy silv’ry feet, My soul I’ll pour into thee. _263._ _To Music, to becalm his Fever_ Charm me asleep, and melt me so With thy delicious numbers, That, being ravish’d, hence I go Away in easy slumbers. Ease my sick head, And make my bed, Thou power that canst sever From me this ill, And quickly still, Though thou not kill My fever. Thou sweetly canst convert the same From a consuming fire Into a gentle licking flame, And make it thus expire. Then make me weep My pains asleep; And give me such reposes That I, poor I, May think thereby I live and die ’Mongst roses. Fall on me like the silent dew, Or like those maiden showers Which, by the peep of day, do strew A baptism o’er the flowers. Melt, melt my pains With thy soft strains; That, having ease me given, With full delight I leave this light, And take my flight For Heaven. _264._ _To Dianeme_