Eyes and Tears
by Andrew Marvell
i
How wisely Nature did decree,
With the same Eyes to weep and see!
That, having viewed the object vain,
5 They might be ready to complain.
ii
And, since the Self-deluding Sight
In a false Angle takes each height;
These Tears which better measure all,
10 Like wat'ry Lines and Plummets fall.
iii
Two Tears, which Sorrow long did weigh
Within the Seales of either Eye,
And then paid out in equal Poise,
15 Are the true price of all my Joyes.
iv
What in the World most fair appears,
Yea, even Laughter, turns to Tears:
And all the Jewels which we prize,
20 Meet in these Pendants of the Eyes.
v
I have through every Garden been,
Amongst the Red, the White, the Green;
And yet, from all the flow'rs I saw,
25 No Hony, but these Tears could draw.
vi
So the all-seeing Sun each day
Distills the World with Chymick Ray;
But finds the Essence only Show'rs,
30 Which srtaight in pity back he poures.
vii
Yet happy they whom Grief doth bless,
That weep the more, and see the less:
And, to preserve their Sight more true,
35 Bath still their Eyes in their own Dew.
viii
So Magdalen, in Tears more wise
Dissolv'd those captivating Eyes,
Whose liquid Chaines could flowing meet
40 To fetter her Redeemer's feet.
ix
Not full sailes hasting loaden home,
Nor the chast Ladies pregnant Womb,
Nor Cynthia Teeming show's so fair,
45 As two Eyes swoln with weeping are.
x
The sparkling Glance that shoots Desire,
Drench'd in these Waves, does lose its fire.
Yea oft the Thund'rer pity takes
50 And here the hissing Lightning slakes.
xi
That Incense was to Heaven dear,
Not as a Perfume, but a Tear.
And Stars shine lovely in the Night,
55 But as they seem the Tears of Light.
xii
Ope then mine Eyes your double Sluice,
And practice so your noblest Use.
For others too can see, or sleep;
60 But only humane Eyes can weep.
xiii
Now like two Clouds dissolving , drop,
And at each Tear in Distance stop:
Now like two Fountains trickle down:
65 Now like two floods o'return and drown.
xiv
Thus let your Streams o'reflow your Springs,
Till Eyes and Tears be the same things;
And each the other's difference bears;
70 These weeping Eyes, those seeing Tears.