On His Deceased Wife
METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused saintBrought to me like Alkestis from the grave,Whom Jove’s great son to her glad husband gave,Rescued from death by force, though pale and faint.Mine, as whom washed from spot of child-bed taintPurification in the Old Law did save,And such as yet once more I trust to haveFull sight of her in Heaven without restraint,Came vested all in white, pure as her mind;Her face was veiled, yet to my fancied sightLove, sweetness, goodness in her person shinedSo clear as in no face with more delight.But oh! as to embrace me she inclined,I waked, she fled, and day brought back my night.