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Sunday, March 11, 2007
A Dialogue
A DIALOGUE by Andrew Marvell (1621 - 1678)
Between the Resolved Soul, and Created Pleasure
Courage my Soul, now learn to wield
The weight of thine immortal Shield
Close on thy Head thy Helmet bright.
Ballance thy Sword against the Fight.
See where an Army, strong as fair,
With silken Banners spreads the air.
Now, if though bee'st that thing Divine,
In this day's Combat let it shine:
And shew that Nature wants an Art
To conquer one resolved Heart.
Pleasure: Welcome the Creations Guest,
Lord of Earth, and Heaven Heir.
Lay aside that Warlike Crest,
And of Nature's banquet share:
Where the Souls of fruits and flow'rs
Stand prepar'd to heighten yours.
Soul: I sup above, and cannot stay
To bait so long upon the way.
Pleasure: On these downy Pillows lye,
Whose soft Plumes will thither fly:
On these Roses strow'd so plain
Lest one Leaf they Side should strain.
Soul: My Genetler Rest is on a Thought,
Conscious of doing what I ought.
Pleasure: If thought bee'st with Perfums pleas'd,
Such as oft the Gods appeas'd,
Though in fragrant Clouds shalt show
Like another God below.
Soul: A Soul that knowes not to presume
Is Heaven's and its own perfume.
Pleasure: Every thing does seem to vie
Which should first attract thine Eye:
But since non deserves that grace,
In this Crystal view thy face.
Soul: When the Creator's skill is priz'd,
The rest is all but Earth disguis'd.
Pleasure: Heark how Musick then prepares
For thy Stay these charming Aires:
Which the posting Winds recall,
And suspsend the Rivers Fall.
Soul: Had I but any time to lose,
On this I would it all dispose.
Cease Tempter. None can chain a mind
Whom this sweet Chordage cannot bind.
Chorus
Earth cannot shew so brace a Sight
As when a single Soul does fence
The Batteries of alluring Sense,
And Heaven views it with delight.
Then persevere: for still new Charges sound:
And if though overcom'st thou shalt be crown'd.
Pleasure: All this fair, and soft, and sweet,
Which scatteringly doth shine,
Shall within one Beauty meet,
And she be only thine.
Soul: If things of Sight such Heavens be,
What Heavens are those we cannot see?
Pleasure: Where so e're thy Foot shall go
The minted Gold shall lie:
Till though purchase all below,
And want new Worlds to buy.
Soul: Wer't not a price who'ld value Gold?
And that's worth nought that can be sold.
Pleasure: Wilt thou all the Glory have
That War or Peace commend?
Half the world shall be thy SLAVE
The other half thy FRIEND.
Soul: What Friends, if to my self untrue?
What Slaves, unless I captive you?
Pleasure: Thou shalt know each hidden Cause:
And see the future Time:
Try what depth the Centre draws:
And then to Heaven climb.
Soul: None thither mounts by the degree
Of Knowledge, but Humility.
Triumph, triumph, victorious Soul:
The World has not one Pleasure more:
The rest does lie beyond the Pole,
And is thine everlasting Store.
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