The Night-Piece; Or, a Picture Drawn in the Dark

Darkness, which fairest nymphs disarms,Defends us ill from Mira's charms;Mira can lay her beauty by,Take no advantage of the eye,Quit all that Lely's art can take,And yet a thousand captives make.Her speech is graced with sweeter soundThan in another's song is found!And all her well-placed words are darts,Which need no light to reach our hearts.As the bright stars and Milky Way,Show'd by the night, are hid by day;So we, in that accomplish'd mind,Help'd by the night, new graces find,Which, by the splendour of her view,Dazzled before, we never knew.While we converse with her, we markNo want of day, nor think it dark;Her shining image is a lightFix'd in our hearts, and conquers night.Like jewels to advantage set,Her beauty by the shade does get;There blushes, frowns, and cold disdain,All that our passion might restrain,Is hid, and our indulgent mindPresents the fair idea kind.Yet, friended by the night, we dareOnly in whispers tell our care;He that on her his bold hand lays,With Cupid's pointed arrows plays;They with a touch (they are so keen!)Wound us unshot, and she unseen.All near approaches threaten death;We may be shipwreck'd by her breath;Love, favour'd once with that sweet gale,Doubles his haste, and fills his sail,Till he arrive where she must proveThe haven, or the rock, of love.So we th'Arabian coast do knowAt distance, when the spices blow;By the rich odour taught to steer,Though neither day nor stars appear.