Daybreak

DAYBREAK

Stay, O sweet and do not rise!
The light that shines comes from thine eyes;
The day breaks not: it is my heart,
Because that you and I must part.
Stay! or else my joys will die
And perish in their infancy.
Dear let me die in this fair* breast
Far sweeter than the Phoenix’ nest
Love raise desire by his sweet charms
Within this circle of thine arms
And let thy blissful kisses cherish
Mine infant joys, that else must perish.

—John Donne (1573-1631)

*N.B. In the published edition by Schott there is a typo on page 8;
the word “sweet” should read “fair.”