A Mystical Ecstasy

by Francis Quarles English

E’en like two little bank-dividing brooks,     That wash the pebbles with their wanton streams, And having ranged and searched a thousand nooks,     Meet both at length in silver-breasted Thames,     Where in a greater current they conjoin: So I my Best-Belovèd’s am; so He is mine. E’en so we met; and after long pursuit,     E’en so we joined; we both became entire; No need for either to renew a suit,     For I was flax and he was flames of fire:     Our firm-united souls did more than twine: So I my Best-Belovèd’s am; so He is mine. If all those glittering Monarchs that command     The servile quarters of this earthly ball, Should tender, in exchange, their shares of land,     I would not change my fortunes for them all:     Their wealth is but a counter to my coin: The world’s but theirs; but my Belovèd’s mine.

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