Richard Lovelace

Gratiana Dancing

SHE beat the happy pavement—
By such a star made firmament,
    Which now no more the roof envìes!
        But swells up high, with Atlas even,
        Bearing the brighter nobler heaven,
    And, in her, all the deities.

Each step trod out a Lover's thought,
And the ambitious hopes he brought
    Chain'd to her brave feet with such arts,
        Such sweet command and gentle awe,
        As, when she ceased, we sighing saw
    The floor lay paved with broken hearts.