A Letter to Daphnis

This to the crown and blessing of my life,

The much loved husband of a happy wife;

To him whose constant passion found the art

To win a stubborn and ungrateful heart,

And to the world by tenderest proof discovers

They err, who say that husbands can’t be lovers.

With such return of passion as is due,

Daphnis I love, Daphnis my thoughts pursue;

Daphnis my hopes and joys are bounded all in you.

Even I, for Daphnis’ and my promise’ sake,

What I in women censure, undertake.

But this from love, not vanity, proceeds;

You know who writes, and I who ’tis that reads.

Judge not my passion by my want of skill:

Many love well, though they express it ill;

And I your censure could with pleasure bear,

Would you but soon return, and speak it here.