A Cowley read by Classic Poetry Aloud: Giving voice to the poetry of the past.

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Platonic Love

by Abraham Cowley (1618 – 1667)

Indeed I must confess,

When souls mix 'tis an happiness,

But not complete till bodies too do join,

And both our wholes into one whole combine;

But half of heaven the souls in glory taste

Till by love in heaven at last

Their bodies too are placed.

In thy immortal part

Man, as well as I, thou art.

But something 'tis that differs thee and me,

And we must one even in that difference be.

I thee both as a man and woman prize,

For a perfect love implies

Love in all capacities.

Can that for true love pass

When a fair woman courts her glass?

Something unlike must in love's likeness be:

His wonder is one and variety.

For he whose soul nought but a soul can move

Does a new Narcissus prove,

And his own image love.

That souls do beauty know

'Tis to the body's help they owe;

If when they know't they straight abuse that trust

And shut the body from't, 'tis as unjust

As if I brought my dearest friend to see

My mistress and at th' instant he

Should steal her quite from me.

First aired: 18 January 2008

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