The Magnet

Ask the Empress of the night

    How the hand which guides her sphere,

Constant in unconstant light,

    Taught the waves her yoke to bear,

And did thus by loving force

Curb or tame the rude seas course.

Ask the female Palm how she

    First did woo her husband's love;

And the Magnet, ask how he

    Doth th'obsequious iron move;

Waters, plants and stones know this,

That they love, not what love is.

Be not then less kind than these,

    Or from love exampt alone,

Let us twine like amorous trees,

    And like rives melt in one;

Or, if thou more cruel prove,

Learn of steel and stones to love.

Stanley Thomas