To His Lovely Mistresses
by
One night i’th’ year, my dearest Beauties, come,
And bring those dew-drink-offerings to my tomb;
When thence ye see my reverend ghost to rise,
And there to lick th’ effused sacrifice,
Though paleness be the livery that I wear,
Look ye not wan or colourless for fear.
Trust me, I will not hurt ye, or once show
The least grim look, or cast a frown on you;
Nor shall the tapers, when I’m there, burn blue.
This I may do, perhaps, as I glide by,–
Cast on my girls a glance, and loving eye;
Or fold mine arms, and sigh, because I’ve lost
The world so soon, and in it, you the most:
–Than these, no fears more on your fancies fall,
Though then I smile, and speak no words at all.