On his deceased wife

Methought I saw my late espoused saint

Brought to me like Alcestis,2 from the grave,

Whom Jove's great son3 to her glad husband4 gave,

Rescued from death by force, though pale and faint.

Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint

Purification in the old Law did save,

And such, as yet once more I trust to have

Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,

Came vested all in white, pure as her mind:

Her face was veil'd;5 yet to my fancied sight

Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd

So clear, as in no face with more delight.

But O, as to embrace me she inclin'd,

I wak'd; she fled; and day brought back my night.