I

How wisely Nature did decree,
With the same eyes to weep and see!
That, having view'd the object vain,
They might be ready to complain.


II

And, since the self-deluding sight,
In a false angle takes each hight;
These tears which better measure all,
Like wat'ry lines and plummets fall.


III

Two tears, which Sorrow long did weigh
Within the scales of either eye,
And then paid out in equal poise,
Are the true price of all my joys.


IV

What in the world most fair appears,
Yea, even laughter, turns to tears:
And all the jewels which we prize,
Melt in these pendants of the eyes.


V

I have through every garden been,
Amongst the red, the white, the green;
And yet, from all the flow'rs I saw,
No honey, but these tears could draw.


VI

So the all-seeing sun each day
Distills the world with chemic ray;
But finds the essence only show’rs,
Which straight in pity back he pours.


VII

Yet happy they whom grief doth bless,
That weep the more, and see the less:
And, to preserve their sight more true,
Bathe still their eyes in their own dew.


VIII

So Magdalen, in tears more wise
Dissolved those captivating eyes,
Whose liquid chains could flowing meet
To fetter her Redeemer’s feet.


IX

Not full sails hasting loaden home,
Nor the chaste lady’s pregnant womb,
Nor Cynthia teeming shows so fair,
As two eyes swoll’n with weeping are.


X

The sparkling glance that shoots desire,
Drenched in these waves, does lose it fire.
Yea, oft the Thund'rer pity takes
And here the hissing Lightning slakes.


XI

The incense was to heaven dear,
Not as a perfume, but a tear.
And stars show lovely in the night,
But as they seem the tears of light.


XII

Ope then mine eyes your double sluice,
And practise so your noblest use.
For others too can see, or sleep;
But only human eyes can weep.


XIII

Now like two clouds dissolving, drop,
And at each tear in distance stop:
Now like two fountains trickle down:
Now like two floods o'return and drown.


XIV

Thus let your streams o'reflow your springs,
Till eyes and tears be the same things:
And each the other's diff’rence bears;
These weeping eyes, those seeing tears.