A Valediction: of My Name in the Window

I

My name engrav'd herein,

Doth contribute my firmnesse to this glasse,

Which, ever since that charme, hath beene

As hard, as that which grav'd it, was;

Thine eye will give it price enough, to mock　

The diamonds of either rock.

II

'Tis much that Glasse should bee

As all confessing, and through-shine as I,

'Tis more, that it shewes thee to thee,

And cleare reflects thee to thine eye.　

But all such rules, loves magique can undoe,

Here you see mee, and I am you.

III

As no one point, nor dash,

Which are but accessaries to this name,

The showers and tempests can outwash,　

So shall all times finde mee the same;

You this intirenesse better may fulfill,

Who have the patterne with you still.

IIII

Or if too hard and deepe

This learning be, for a scratch'd name to teach,　

It, as a given deaths head keepe,

Lovers mortalitie to preach,

Or thinke this ragged bony name to bee

My ruinous Anatomie.

V

Then, as all my soules bee,　

Emparadis'd in you, (in whom alone

I understand, and grow and see,)

The rafters of my body, bone

Being still with you, the Muscle, Sinew, and Veine,

Which tile this house, will come againe.　

VI

Till my returne, repaire

And recompact my scattered body so.

As all the vertuous powers which are

Fix'd in the starres, are said to flow,

Into such characters, as graved bee　

When these starres have supremacie,

VII

So since this name was cut

When love and griefe their exaltation had,

No doore 'gainst this names influence shut;

As much more loving, as more sad,　

'Twill make thee; and thou shouldst, till I returne,

Since I die daily, daily mourne.

VIII

When thy inconsiderate hand

Flings ope this casement, with my trembling name,

To looke on one, whose wit or land,　

New battry to thy heart may frame,

Then thinke this name alive, and that thou thus

In it offendst my Genius.

IX

And when thy melted maid,

Corrupted by thy Lover's gold, and page,　

His letter at thy pillow'hath laid,

Disputed it, and tam'd thy rage,

And thou begin'st to thaw towards him, for this,

May my name step in, and hide his.

X

And if this treason goe　

To an overt act, and that thou write againe;

In superscribing, this name flow

Into thy fancy, from the pane.

So, in forgetting thou remembrest right,

And unaware to mee shalt write.　

XI

But glasse, and lines must bee,

No meanes our firme substantiall love to keepe;

Neere death inflicts this lethargie,

And this I murmure in my sleepe;

Impute this idle talke, to that I goe,　

For dying men talke often so.