Katherine Philips, "Friendship's Mystery"


1
Come, my Lucasia, since we see
That Miracles Mens faith do move,
By wonder and by prodigy—	something monstrous or supernatural
To the dull angry world let’s prove
There’s a Religion in our Love. [5]

2
For though we were design’d t’agree,
That Fate no liberty destroyes,
But our Election° is as free	choice
As Angels, who with greedy choice
Are yet determin’d to their joyes. [10]

3
Our hearts are doubled by the loss,
Here Mixture is Addition grown;
We both diffuse,° and both ingross:°	spread out — amass
And we whose minds are so much one,
Never, yet ever are alone. [15]

4
We court° our own Captivity	seek
Than Thrones more great and innocent:
’Twere° banishment to be set free,	it would be
Since we wear fetters whose intent
Not Bondage is, but Ornament. [20]

5
Divided joyes are tedious found,
And griefs united easier grow:
We are our selves but by rebound,
And all our Titles shuffled so,
Both Princes, and both Subjects too. [25]

6
Our Hearts are mutual Victims laid,
While they (such power in Friendship lies)
Are Altars, Priests, and Off’rings made:
And each Heart which thus kindly dies,
Grows deathless by the Sacrifice. [30]

Friendship’s Mystery,
To my dearest Lucasia