Of the Sun and the Earth

The sweat of th’Earth through porous holes1 doth pass,
Which2 is the dew that lies upon the grass,
Which3 (like a lover kind) the Sun wipes clean,
That her fair face may to the light be seen.
This water for her sake he so4 esteems,                                         5
That all the5 drops upon his silver beams
He threads, like ropes of pearls, which6 to his sphere
He draws and turns7 to crystal, when they’re there.
Yet,what he gathers, he cannot8 keep all,
But of those drops, some down again9 do fall,                            10
And then, when they upon her head do10 run,
He clouds his brows, as if he ill had11 done.
For12 lovers think they always do amiss,
Although those showers13 her refreshment is.
When she by sweat exhausted grows, and dry,                          15
Then doth the Sun moist clouds squeeze in the14 sky,
Or else he takes some of his sharpest beams
And breaks15 the clouds, from whence pour crystal streams.
Then th’Earth drinks too much, yet never reels16
Nor dizzy grows, although she sickness feels.17                         20

  1. The sweat of th’Earth through porous holes] Through Earth’s porous holes her sweat 1653
  2. Which] And 1664, 1668
  3. Which] Where 1653
  4. This water for her sake he so] And for her sake that water he 1653
  5. That all the] Threading those 1653
  6. He threads, like ropes of pearls, which] Like ropes of Pearle; he drawes them 1653
  7. He draws and turns] Turning those drops 1653
  8. he cannot] cannot he 1653
  9. But of those drops, some down again] But downe againe some of those drops 1653
  10. And then, when they upon her head do] When turning back upon her head they 1653
  11. ill had] had ill 1653
  12. For] But 1653
  13. those showers] this Water 1664, 1668
  14. Then doth the Sun moist clouds squeeze in the] The Sun the moystest Clouds doth squeeze in 1653
  15. And breaks] To break 1653
  16. Then th’Earth drinks too much, yet never reels] Then Earth doth drink too much, yet doth not reele, 1653
  17. Nor dizzy grows, although she sickness feels.] She cannot dizzy be, though sicknesse feele. 1653