KATHERINE PHILIPS: A CRITICAL EDITION OF THE POETRY by ...

Hee's worse then beast that cannot love, and yet
It is not bought by money, paines, or wit
So no chance nor design can spirits move
But the eternal destiny of Love.
For when two soules are changd and mixed soe 25
It is what they, and none but they can doe.
And this is friendship that abstracted flame
Which creeping mortalIs know not how to name.
All love is sacred, and the marriage ty
Hath much of Honour, and divinity, 30
But lust, design, or some unworthy ends
May mingle there, which are despis'd by friends.
Passion hath violent extreams, and thus
All oppositions are contiguous,
So when the end is serv'd the love will bate 35
If friendship make it not more fortunate.
Friendship! that Loves elixar that pure fire
Which burn's the clearer 'cause it burn's the higher.
For Love like earthy fires (which will decay
If the material] fuell be away) 40
Is with offensive smoake accompany'd
And by resistance onely is supply'd
28 name.] ",
34 contiquous,] '*'.
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