Katherine Philips ('Orinda') (1631-1664). To my Excellent Lucasia, on our Friendship. J. C. Squire, ed. 1921. A Book of Women's Verse

J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921.

To my Excellent Lucasia, on our Friendship

By Katherine Philips (‘Orinda’) (1631–1664)


I DID not live until this time
Crown’d my felicity,
When I could say without a crime,
I am not thine, but thee.

This carcass breath’d, and walkt, and slept,	5
So that the world believ’d
There was a soul the motions kept;
But they were all deceiv’d.

For as a watch by art is wound
To motion, such was mine:	10
But never had Orinda found
A soul till she found thine;

Which now inspires, cures and supplies,
And guides my darkned breast:
For thou art all that I can prize,	15
My joy, my life, my rest.

No bridegroom’s nor crown-conqueror’s mirth
To mine compar’d can be:
They have but pieces of the earth,
I’ve all the world in thee.	20

Then let our flames still light and shine,
And no false fear controul,
As innocent as our design,
Immortal as our soul.