Her Beauty

Her true beauty leaves behind     Apprehensions in my mind     Of more sweetness than all art     Or inventions can impart;     Thoughts too deep to be expressed,     And too strong to be suppressed....     ... What pearls, what rubies can     Seem so lovely fair to man,     As her lips whom he doth love     When in sweet discourse they move:     Or her lovelier teeth, the while     She doth bless him with a smile!     Stars indeed fair creatures be;     Yet amongst us where is he     Joys not more the whilst he lies     Sunning in his mistress' eyes.     Than in all the glimmering light     Of a starry winter's night?         Note the beauty of an eye,     And if aught you praise it by     Leave such passion in your mind,     Let my reason's eye be blind.     Mark if ever red or white     Anywhere gave such delight     As when they have taken place     In a worthy woman's face.     From Faire Virtue.