Methought I
saw my late espoused saint
Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave,
Whom Jove's great
son to her glad husband gave,
Rescued from death
by force, though pale and faint.
Mine, as whom washed from
spot of child-bed taint
Purification in the
old Law did save,
And such as yet
once more I trust to have
Full sight of her
in Heaven without restraint,
Came vested all in white, pure as her mind;
Her face was veiled, yet to my
fancied sight
Love, sweetness, goodness, in
her person shined
So clear as in no face with more delight.
But Oh! as to embrace me she inclined,
I waked, she
fled, and day brought back my night.
