Robert Herrick. To the King.

TO THE KING. (II)
by Robert Herrick

GIVE way, give way, now ; now my Charles shines here
A public light, in this immensive sphere ;
Some stars were fix'd before, but these are dim
Compar'd, in this my ample orb, to him.
Draw in your feeble fires, while that he
Appears but in his meaner majesty.
Where, if such glory flashes from his name,
Which is his shade, who can abide his flame !
Princes, and such like public lights as these,
Must not be look'd on but at distances :
For if we gaze on these brave lamps too near
Our eyes they'll blind, or if not blind, they'll blear.

Immensive, immeasurable.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol II.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 43.

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