Come, my Ardelia, to this bowre, <br />Where kindly mingling Souls a while, <br />Let's innocently spend an houre, <br />And at all serious follys smile <br /> <br />Here is no quarrelling for Crowns, <br />Nor fear of changes in our fate; <br />No trembling at the Great ones frowns <br />Nor any slavery of state. <br /> <br />Here's no disguise, nor treachery <br />Nor any deep conceal'd design; <br />From blood and plots this place is free, <br />And calm as are those looks of thine. <br /> <br />Here let us sit and bless our Starres <br />Who did such happy quiet give, <br />As that remov'd from noise of warres. <br />In one another's hearts we live. <br /> <br />We should we entertain a feare? <br />Love cares not how the world is turn'd. <br />If crouds of dangers should appeare, <br />Yet friendship can be unconcern'd. <br /> <br />We weare about us such a charme, <br />No horrour can be our offence; <br />For misheif's self can doe no harme <br />To friendship and to innocence. <br /> <br />Let's mark how soone Apollo's beams <br />Command the flocks to quit their meat, <br />And not intreat the neighbour -- streams <br />To quench their thirst, but coole their heat. <br /> <br />In such a scorching Age as this, <br />Whoever would not seek a shade <br />Deserve their happiness to misse, <br />As having their own peace betray'd. <br /> <br />But we (of one another's mind <br />Assur'd,) the boistrous world disdain; <br />With quiet souls, and unconfin'd, <br />Enjoy what princes wish in vain.<br /><br />Katherine Philips<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-retir-d-friendship/
