This is a poem discussed in my Women in Literature class.
Come, my Lucasia, since we see
That miracles men's faith do move,
By wonder and by prodigy
To the dull angry world let's prove
There's a religion in our love.
For though we were designed t' agree,
That fate no liberty destroys,
But our election is as free
As angels', who with greedy choice
Are yet determined to their joys. 10
Our hearts are doubled by the loss,
Here mixture is addition grown ;
We both diffuse and both engross,
And we whose minds are so much one,
Never, yet ever, are alone.
We court our own captivity,
Than thrones more great and innocent ;
`Twere banishment to be set free,
Since we wear fetters whose intent
Not bondage is, but ornament. 20
Divided joys are tedious found,
And griefs united easier grow ;
We are ourselves but by rebound,
And all our titles shuffled so,
Both princes, and both subjects too.
Our hearts are mutual victims laid,
While they, such power in friendship lies,
Are altars, priests, and off'rings made ;
And each heart which thus kindly dies
Grows deathless by the sacrifice. 30
My teacher spoke on it from the point of her being too "in love" with her best friend. I believe that indeed her letter was a bit more personal than should be between two women, but I don't think it to be that deep. Having read the passage twice for clearer understanding, I came to the conclusion that she is speaking of the bond that women have. A bond that a woman and man (even in marriage) could never have. <-- which is kinda the point my teacher made. (minus the in love thing) What do YOU think? :)
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