On His Deceased Wife

1METHOUGHT I saw my late espoused Saint

2 Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave,

3 Whom Joves great Son to her glad Husband gave,

4 Rescu'd from death by force though pale and faint.

5Mine as whom washt from spot of child-bed taint,

6 Purification in the old Law did save,

7 And such, as yet once more I trust to have

8 Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,

9Came vested all in white, pure as her mind:

10 Her face was vail'd, yet to my fancied sight,

11 Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd

12So clear, as in no face with more delight.

13 But O as to embrace me she enclin'd

14 I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.