Thou dost to rich attire a grace,
To let it deck itself with thee,
And teachest pomp strange cunning
To be thought simplicity.
But lilies, stolen from grassy mold,
No more curled state
Translated to a vase of gold;
In burning throne though they keep
Serenities unthawed and chill.
Therefore, albeit thou'rt stately so,
In statelier state thou us'dst to go.
Though jewels should phosphoric
Through those night-waters of thine hair,
A flower from its translucid
Poured silver flame more lunar-fair.
These futile trappings but
Degenerate worshippers who
In purfled kirtle and
To 'parel the white Mother-Maid.
For, as her image stood
In vests of its self-substance
To measure of the sculptor's thought -Slurred by those added braveries;
So for thy spirit did
Its Maker seemly garniture,
Of its own essence parcel pure, -From grave simplicities a dress,
And reticent demurenesses,
And love encinctured with reserve;
Which the woven vesture should subserve.
For outward robes in their
Should show the soul's habiliments.
Therefore I say,—Thou'rt fair even so,
But better Fair I use to know.
The violet would thy dusk hair
With graces like thine own unsought.
Ah! but such place would daze and
Its simple, lowly rustic thought.
For so advanced, dear, to thee,
It would unlearn humility!
Yet do not, with an altered look,
In these weak numbers read rebuke;
Which are but jealous lest too
God's master-piece thou shouldst retouch.
Where a sweetness is complete,
Add not sweets unto the sweet!
Or, as thou wilt, for others
In unfamiliar richness go;
But keep for mine acquainted
The fashions of thy Paradise.
