Amanda, a sacrifice to an unknown goddesse, or, A free-will offering of a loving heart to a sweet-heart by N.H. of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge
Hookes, Nicholas, 1628-1712., Drayton, Michael, 1563-1631. England's heroical epistles. Latin & English. Selections.
A Mistris.
A Mistris is not what the fancie makes her,
But what her vertue and her beautie speaks her;
She is a jewel, which a rich esteem
Values below its worth, she doth not deem
Each servant mad in love, but reconciles
Their feares and hopes, she only smiles
When others laugh and giggle; her lips severe
And close, as if each kisse a promise were:
Fresh as the blossomes of the Apple-tree,
Sweet in the perfumes of Virginitie:
She puts a price on love; not proudly coy,
But modest in returnes; the life of joy
Which she conceives, i'th'thought o'th' nuptial bed,
Is not the losing of her Maiden-head,
Or some such ticklish point, but to unite
And knit her Bridegrooms soul in the delight
Of a close twine, and when their lips do greet,
She mingles flesh, that heart with heart may meet.
She's wary in her gift and choice, but yet
Like an enchanted Lady doth not set,
Making her Lover a green-armour-Knight
Page 11In a Romance-adventure, who must fight
With monstrous giants, and with conqu'ring hand
Win her from a fantastick-fairie-land;
No she's discreetly chaste, not fond of love,
Nor cruel in her frownes; her heart doth move,
Poys'd with her servants worth, and the advice
Of her good friends; she's neither cold as ice,
Nor yet inflam'd; she's neat and delicate,
Yet not lascivious in her dresse; her gate
Tempting, yet not affected, it hath more
Of nature then the dance; her cast o'th' eye
Is amorous, yet not a glance doth flie,
That hath a sparkle of lust; she's all divine,
And to be courted like a Cherubin:
Such is Amanda, who deserves to be
Mistris in Cupids Universitie.
