deity

Quit our own fireside hopes at the alien call of a neighbour,

To the mere possible shadow of Deity offer the victim?

And is all this, my friend, but a weak and ignoble refining,

And you are he: the deity

To whom all lovers are designed,

But being present,[281] might that work the best,

By Venus deity how did I protest!

Thou goddess dost command a warm south blast,

In sooth, th' eternal powers grant maids society

Falsely to swear; their beauty hath some deity.

By her eyes, I remember, late she swore,

There stands an old wood with thick trees dark clouded:

Who sees it grants some deity there is shrouded.

An altar takes men's incense and oblation,

And rule, so soon with private hands acquainted.

My mistress' deity also drew me fro it,

And love triumpheth o'er his buskined poet.

The gods' care we are called, and men of piety,

And some there be that think we have a deity.

Outrageous death profanes all holy things,

Forbidden, by wise heathen ev'n, to be

Spoken of Deity,

Whose Name, on popular altars, was 'The Unknown,'