Herbert J.C. Grierson, ed. (1886–1960). Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the 17th C. 1921.

1618–1658 Richard Lovelace

To Lucasta

Going beyond the Seas

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.

But I’le not sigh one blast or gale

To swell my saile,

Or pay a teare to swage

The foaming blew-Gods rage;

For whether he will let me passe

Or no, I’m still as happy as I was.

Though Seas and Land be ’twixt 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.

So then we doe anticipate

Our after-fate,

And are alive i’ th’ skies

If thus our lips and eyes

Can speake like spirits unconfin’d

In Heav’n, their earthy bodies left behind.