Jew #6
Jewels too like ugly ducklings lose worth
Comparing themselves to common things. Great
Gems of noble birth, like stones of the earth
By low self value make havoc of fate
Pearls may think themselves scabs of old sores
Young diamonds in the rough, carbons dull
And corals black just some callus old pores
As goose believed itself A DUCK. I full
Of need, alone may prize, your value rich
And set the price of your affection now.
I call your bed a mine, and not a ditch
And make my heart's loud claim to you a vow
That upon my breast will thy place be found
For because of you joy to me abound
ii
Jew, you smile and show me ivory white
Your eyes incandescent are all my pearls
Your love's the diamond of my delight
Your heart the beryl that in peaches curls
And every time you speak to me, I hear
Khan's nightingale singing solos of gold
While silver light shines on ebon hair.
You value more than armada's can hold.
What task you have to keep so much secure
And blame be none for all that flock your door
For jewels tempt kings and common men too
While yet above the base things evil men do.
Take my heart as an armory of your grace
Take my love as truth ... there's none more chaste.
iii
Love is not love until it touches fire
Nor cannot know itself by mere desire
For what alone is eternal the flame
Endures, or absent of feelings speaks your name.
Let none tell you mine is mere feelings then
Or call it fraud when you go and once more
Come. The tides forever with the moon blend
Though distant from her orb walks this shore
So love by constant gravity joins us
As friends, and day and night test still our trust
I rise or fall by thy nature's design
And wither not at all in thy sweet sun
I praise you as gift of Him most Divine
Make me the prize from heaven you have won.
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