Delia 36: But love whilst that thou mayst be…

But love whilst that thou mayst be loved again,

Now whilst thy May hath filled thy lap with flowers,

Now whilst thy beauty bears without a stain,

Now use the summer smiles, ere winter lowers.

And whilst thou spread’st unto the rising sun

The fairest flower that ever saw the light,

Now joy thy time before thy sweet be done,

And, Delia, think thy morning must have night,

And that thy brightness sets at length to west,

When thou wilt close up that which now thou shew’st;

And think the same becomes thy fading best

Which then shall most inveil and shadow most.

Men do not weigh the stalk for what it was,

When once they find her flower, her glory, pass.