Richard Lovelace.   T O  L U C A S T A. Ode Lyrick. I AH Lucasta, why so Bright ! Spread with early streaked light ! If still vailed from our sight, What is't but eternall night ? II Ah Lucasta, why so Chaste ? With that vigour, ripenes grac't ! Not to be by Man imbrac't Makes that Royall coyne imbace't, And this golden Orchard waste. III Ah Lucasta, why so Great ! That thy crammed coffers sweat ; Yet not owner of a seat May shelter you from Natures heat, And your earthly joyes compleat. IV Ah Lucasta, why so Good ! Blest with an unstained flood Flowing both through soule and blood ; If it be not understood, 'Tis a Diamond in mud. V Lucasta !  stay !  why dost thou flye ? Thou art not Bright, but to the eye, Nor Chaste, but in the Mariage-tye, Nor Great, but in this Treasurie, Nor Good, but in that sanctitie. VI Harder then the Orient stone, Like an Apparition, Or as a pale shadow gone, Dumbe and deafe she hence is flowne. VII Then receive this equall dombe, Virgins strow no teare or bloome, No one dig the Parian wombe ; Raise her marble heart ith' roome, And 'tis both her Coarse and Tombe. Source: Lovelace, Richard.    The Poems of Richard Lovelace. London: Unit Library, Ltd., 1904.    49-51. to Works of Richard Lovelace Site copyright ©1996-2001 Anniina Jokinen.    All Rights Reserved. Created by Anniina Jokinen on May 1, 2001.