EV'N like two little bank-dividing brookes,
That wash the pebles with their wanton streames,
And having rang'd and search'd a thousand nookes,
Meet both at lengthe in silver-brested Thames,
Where in a greater Current they conjoyne: 5
So I my Best-Beloveds am; so He is mine.

Ev'n so we met; and after long pursuit,
Ev'n so we joyn'd; we both became entire;
No need for either to renew a Suit,
For I was Flax and he was Flames of fire: 10
Our firm united soules did more than twine;
So I my Best-Beloveds am; so He is mine.

If all those glittring Monarchs that command
The servile Quarters of this earthly Ball,
Should tender, in Exchange, their shares of land, 15
I would not change my Fortunes for them all:
Their wealth is but a Counter to my Coyne;
The world 's but theirs; but my Beloved 's mine.

Nay, more; If the fair Thespian Ladies all
Should heap together their diviner treasure: 20
That Treasure should be deem'd a price too small
To buy a minutes Lease of half my Pleasure;
'Tis not the sacred wealth of all the Nine
Can buy my heart from Him; or His, from being mine.

Nor Time, nor Place, nor Chance, nor Death can bow 25
My least desires unto the least remove;
Hee 's firmely mine by Oath; I, His, by Vow;
Hee 's mine by Faith; and I am His by Love;
Hee 's mine by Water; I am His, by Wine;
Thus I my Best-Beloveds am; Thus He is mine. 30

He is my Altar; I, his Holy Place;
I am his Guest; and he, my living Food;
I'm his, by Poenitence; He, mine by Grace;
I'm his, by Purchase; He is mine, by Blood;
Hee 's my supporting Elme; and I, his Vine: 35
Thus I my Best-Beloveds am; Thus He is mine.

He gives me wealth; I give him all my Vowes:
I give him songs; He gives me length of dayes:
With wreathes of Grace he crownes my conqu'ring browes:
And I, his Temples, with a Crowne of Praise, 40
Which he accepts as an everlasting signe,
That I my Best-Beloveds am; that He is mine.