Katherine Philips (‘Orinda’).

1631-1664

409   To One persuading a Lady to Marriage

FORBEAR, bold youth; all’s heaven here,
   And what you do aver
To others courtship may appear,
   ’Tis sacrilege to her.
She is a public deity;
   And were’t not very odd
She should dispose herself to be
   A petty household god?

First make the sun in private shine
   And bid the world adieu,
That so he may his beams confine
   In compliment to you:
But if of that you do despair,
   Think how you did amiss
To strive to fix her beams which are
   More bright and large than his.