Platonic Love

1

Indeed I must confess,

When souls mix ’tis an happiness,

But not complete till bodies too do join,

And both our wholes into one whole combine;

But half of heaven the souls in glory taste

Till by love in heaven at last

Their bodies too are placed.

2

In thy immortal part

Man, as well as I, thou art.

But something ’tis that differs thee and me,

And we must one even in that difference be.

I thee both as a man and woman prize,

For a perfect love implies

Love in all capacities.

3

Can that for true love pass

When a fair woman courts her glass?

Something unlike must in love’s likeness be:

His wonder is one and variety.

For he whose soul nought but a soul can move

Does a new Narcissus prove,

And his own image love.

4

That souls do beauty know

’Tis to the body’s help they owe;

If when they know’t they straight abuse that trust

And shut the body from’t, ’tis as unjust

As if I brought my dearest friend to see

My mistress and at th’instant he

Should steal her quite from me.