II.
The tears that flow adown her cheek,
Than gems are brighter things;
For these an earthly Monarch seek,
But those the KING of Kings.
This seems to have been the author's thought, if he thought
_chastely_.--Shall I try again?
The pearls and gems her beauty's arms,
See sad VALLIERE foregoes:
Yet still those tears have other charms,
Superior far to those:
With those she gained an earthly Monarch's love:
With these she wins the KING of Kings above.
Yet, after all, I do suspect, that the author meant more than even _to
sneer_ a little at _poor Madam Valliere_; but, as I dislike common-place
poetry, (and poetry, as you see, dislikes _me_) I will endeavour to give
you the literal meaning, according to my conception, and then you will
see whether our _joint wits_ jump together.
While MAGDALENE throws by her bracelets, adorned with gems and pearls,
and (thus) disarms her beauty: while tears confound her countenance and
eyes,
With wonder mark the stratagems of love,
With this she captivates the GOD above.
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