Chapter 14 13

Thus I have told thee all my State, and brought My Storie to the sum of earthly bliss Which I enjoy, and must confess to find In all things else delight indeed, but such As usd or not, works in the mind no change, [ 525 ] Nor vehement desire, these delicacies I mean of Taste, Sight, Smell, Herbs, Fruits and Flours, Walks, and the melodie of Birds; but here Farr otherwise, transported I behold, Transported touch; here passion first I felt, [ 530 ] Commotion strange, in all enjoyments else Superior and unmovd, here only weak Against the charm of Beauties powerful glance.

Or Nature failed in mee, and left some part Not proof enough such Object to sustain, [ 535 ] Or from my side subducting, took perhaps More then enough; at least on her bestowd Too much of Ornament, in outward shew Elaborate, of inward less exact. For well I understand in the prime end [ 540 ] Of Nature her inferior, in the mind And inward Faculties, which most excell, In outward also her resembling less His Image who made both, and less expressing The character of that Dominion givn [ 545 ] Ore other Creatures; yet when I approach Her loveliness, so absolute she seems

And in her self compleat, so well to know Her own, that what she wills to do or say, Seems wisest, vertuousest, discreetest, best; [ 550 ] All higher knowledge in her presence falls Degraded, Wisdom in discourse with her Looses discountnanct, and like folly shewes; Authority and Reason on her waite, As one intended first, not after made [ 555 ] Occasionally; and to consummate all, Greatness of mind and nobleness thir seat Build in her loveliest, and create an awe About her, as a guard Angelic plact.