Since she whom I lov'd hath payd her last debt To Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead, And her Soule early into heaven ravished, Wholly on heavenly things my mind is sett. Here the admyring her my mind did whett 5 To seeke thee God; so streames do shew their head; But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed, A holy thirsty dropsy melts mee yett. But why should I begg more Love, when as thou Dost wooe my soule for hers; offring all thine: 10 And dost not only feare least I allow My Love to Saints and Angels things divine, But in thy tender jealosy dost doubt Least the World, Fleshe, yea Devill putt thee out. [XVII. _W:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life and Letters of John Donne, 1899] [2 dead,] dead _W_] [6 their] y^r _W_ head;] head, _W_] [10 wooe] _spelt_ woe _W_] [12 divine,] divine _W_] XVIII. Show me deare Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear. What! is it She, which on the other shore Goes richly painted? or which rob'd and tore Laments and mournes in Germany and here? Sleepes she a thousand, then peepes up one yeare? 5 Is she selfe truth and errs? now new, now outwore? Doth she, and did she, and shall she evermore On one, on seaven, or on no hill appeare? Dwells she with us, or like adventuring knights First travaile we to seeke and then make Love? 10 Betray kind husband thy spouse to our sights, And let myne amorous soule court thy mild Dove, Who is most trew, and pleasing to thee, then When she'is embrac'd and open to most men. [XVIII. _W:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life _&c._] [2 What!] What _W_] [3 tore] _so I read W:_ lore _Gosse_] XIX. Oh, to vex me, contraryes meet in one: Inconstancy unnaturally hath begott A constant habit; that when I would not I change in vowes, and in devotione. As humorous is my contritione 5 As my prophane Love, and as soone forgott: As ridlingly distemper'd, cold and hott, As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none. I durst not view heaven yesterday; and to day In prayers, and flattering speaches I court God: 10 To morrow I quake with true feare of his rod. So my devout fitts come and go away Like a fantastique Ague: save that here Those are my best dayes, when I shake with feare. [XIX. _W:_ _first printed in Gosse's_ Life _&c._] [3 that] y^t _W_, _so always_] [4 and] & _W_, _so always_] _The Crosse._