How wisely nature did decree,
With the same eye to weep and see!
That, having viewed the object vain,
They might be ready to complain.
And since the self-deluding sight,
In a false angel takes each night;
These tears which better measure all,
Like watery lines and plummets fall.
Two tears,which sorrow long did weigh,
With the scales of either eye,
And then pay out in equal poise,
Are the true price of all my joys.
What in the world most fair appears,
Yea even laughter, turns to tears:
And all the jewels which we prize,
Melt in these pendants of the eyes.
I have through every garden been,
Amongst the red, the white, the green: and yet,from all the flowers I saw,
No Hong, but these tears could draw.
So the all-seeing sun each day distills the world with chymick ray;
But find the essence only showers,
Which straight in pity back he powers.
Yet happy they whom grief doth bless,
That weep the more and see the less:
And to preserve their sight more true,
Bath still their eyes in their own due.
The license was to heaven dear,
Not as perfume, but a tear.
And star shew lovely in the Night,
But as they seem the tears of light.
Ope then mine eyes your double sluice,
And practice to your noblest use.
For others too can see or sleep;
but only human eyes can weep.
Now like two clouds dissolving, drop and at each tear in distance stop:
Now like two fountains trickle down:
Now like two floods o'return and drown.
Thus let your streams o'reflow your springs,
till eyes and tears be the same things:
And each the other's difference bears;
these weeping eyes, those seeing tears.
