John Fletcher

Beauty Clear and Fair

BEAUTY clear and fair,
            Where the air
Rather like a perfume dwells;
    Where the violet and the rose
    Their blue veins and blush disclose,
And come to honour nothing else:

            Where to live near
            And planted there
Is to live, and still live new;
    Where to gain a favour is
    More than light, perpetual bliss—
Make me live by serving you!

Dear, again back recall
            To this light,
A stranger to himself and all!
    Both the wonder and the story
    Shall be yours, and eke the glory;
I am your servant, and your thrall.