Quote#Wisdom
But as a Moor, who to her Cheeks prefers
Quote byRichard Lovelace · 1617–1658
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Lucasta: Postume Poems (1660), A Black Patch on Lucasta's Face [II], sts. 3–5 [variant: "o'er" for "ore"].
English (original)
But as a Moor, who to her Cheeks prefers White spots, t'allure her black Idolaters, Me thought she look'd all ore bepatch'd with Stars;Like the dark front of some Ethiopian Queen, Vailèd all ore with Gems of Red, Blew, Green; Whose ugly Night seem'd maskèd with days Skreen;Whilst the fond people offer'd Sacrifice To Saphyrs, 'stead of Veins and Arteries, And bow'd unto the Diamonds, not her Eyes.
— Richard Lovelace
More from Richard Lovelace
Tell me not (Sweet) I am unkind, That from the Nunnerie Of thy chaste breast, and quiet minde, To Warre and Armes I flie.True; a new Mistresse now I chase, The first Foe in the Field; And with a stronger Faith imbrace
As when she ceas'd, we sighing saw The floore lay pav'd with broken hearts.
If to be absent were to be Away from thee; Or that when I am gone, You or I were alone; Then my Lucasta might I crave Pity from blustring winde, or swallowing wave.
Though Seas and Land betwixt us both, Our Faith and Troth, Like separated soules, All time and space controules: Above the highest sphere wee meet Unseene, unknowne, and greet as Angels greet.
Heere wee'l strippe and coole our fire In Creame below, in milke-baths higher: And when all Well's are drawne dry, I'le drink a tear out of thine eye.
So did she move; so did she sing Like the Harmonious spheres that bring Unto their Rounds their musick's ayd; Which she performed such a way, As all th' inamour'd world will say The Graces daunced, and Apollo play'd.