Text 102. To his mistress going to bed

TO HIS MISTRESS GOING TO BED

Come, Madam, come, all rest and powers defy,

Until I labour, I in labour lie.

The foe oft-times, having the foe in sight,

Is tired with standing, though they never fight.

Off with that girdle, like heaven's zone glistering

But a far fairer world encompassing.

Unpin that spangled breast-plate, which you wear

That th'eyes of busy fools may be stopped there:

Unlace yourself, for that harmonious chime

Tells me from you that now 'tis your bed time.

Off with that happy busk, whom I envy

That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.

Your gown's going off such beautous state reveals

As when from flowery meads th'hills shadow steals.

Off with your wiry coronet and show

The hairy diadem which on you doth grow.

Off with those shoes: and then safely tread

In this love's hallowed temple, this soft bed.

In such white robes haven't angels used to be

Received by men; thou Angel bring'st with thee

A heaven like Mahomet's Paradise; and though

All spirits walk in white, we easily know

By this these Angels from an evil sprite:

They set out hairs, but these the flesh upright.

License my roving hands, and let them go

Behind, before, above, between, below.

Oh my America, my new found land,

My kingdom, safeliest when with one man manned,

My mine of precious stones, my Empery,

How blessed am I in this discovering thee.

To enter in these bonds is to be free,

Then where my hand is set my seal shall be.

Full nakedness, all joys are due to thee.

As souls unbodied, bodies unclothed must be

To taste whole joys. Gems which you women use

Are as Atalanta's balls, cast in men's views,

That when a fool's eye lighteth on a gem

His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them.

Like pictures, or like books' gay coverings made

For laymen, are all women thus arrayed;

Themselves are mystic books, which only we

Whom their imputed grace will dignify

Must see revealed. Then since I may know,

As liberally as to a midwife show

Thyself; cast all, yea this white linen hence.

Here is no penance, much less innocence.

To teach thee, I am naked first: Why then

What need'st thou have more covering than a man.