To His Fairest Valentine Mrs. A. L.

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"Come, pretty birds, present your lays,
  And learn to chaunt a goddess praise;
  Ye wood-nymphs, let your voices be
  Employ'd to serve her deity:
  And warble forth, ye virgins nine,
  Some music to my Valentine.

 "Her bosom is love's paradise,
  There is no heav'n but in her eyes;
  She's chaster than the turtle-dove,
  And fairer than the queen of love:
  Yet all perfections do combine
  To beautifie my Valentine.

 "She's Nature's choicest cabinet,
  Where honour, beauty, worth and wit
  Are all united in her breast.
  The graces claim an interest:
  All virtues that are most divine
  Shine clearest in my Valentine."
  And learn to chaunt a goddess praise;
  Ye wood-nymphs, let your voices be
  Employ'd to serve her deity:
  And warble forth, ye virgins nine,
  Some music to my Valentine.

 "Her bosom is love's paradise,
  There is no heav'n but in her eyes;
  She's chaster than the turtle-dove,
  And fairer than the queen of love:
  Yet all perfections do combine
  To beautifie my Valentine.

 "She's Nature's choicest cabinet,
  Where honour, beauty, worth and wit
  Are all united in her breast.
  The graces claim an interest:
  All virtues that are most divine
  Shine clearest in my Valentine."

© Richard Lovelace