Methought I saw my late espoused saint



Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave,



Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave,



Rescu'd from death by force, though pale and faint.



Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint



Purification in the old Law did save,



And such as yet once more I trust to have



Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,



Came vested all in white, pure as her mind;



Her face was veil'd, yet to my fancied sight



Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd



So clear as in no face with more delight.



But Oh! as to embrace me she inclin'd,



I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.





