John Fletcher

20 December 1579 - 29 August 1625 / Rye, Sussex, England

Beauty Clear And Fair

BEAUTY clear and fair,
   Where the air
Rather like a perfume dwells;
   Where the violet and the rose
   Their blue veins and blush disclose,
And come to honour nothing else:

   Where to live near
   And planted there
Is to live, and still live new;
   Where to gain a favour is
   More than light, perpetual bliss--
Make me live by serving you!

Dear, again back recall
   To this light,
A stranger to himself and all!
   Both the wonder and the story
   Shall be yours, and eke the glory;
I am your servant, and your thrall.
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