The Hymnes and Songs of the Chvrch Diuided into two parts. The first part comprehends the Canonicall Hymnes, and such parcels of Holy Scripture, as may properly be sung, with some other ancient Songs and Creeds. The second part consists of Spirituall Songs, appropriated to the seuerall Times and Occasions obserueable in the Church of England. Translated and Composed by G. VV. [i.e. George Wither] |
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| I. |
| III. |
| V. |
| VI. |
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| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. | SONG XIII. The fift Canticle.
Oh my Loue, how comely now |
| XIIII. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
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| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
| XLIII. |
| XLIIII. |
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 | The Hymnes and Songs of the Chvrch |  |
43
SONG XIII. The fift Canticle. Oh my Loue, how comely now
[1]
Oh my Loue, how comely now,and how beautifull art thou
Thou of Doue-like Eies a paire,
Shining hast within thy haire:
And thy Lockes like Kidlings bee,
44
2
Like those Ewes thy Teeth doe show,Which in rowes from washing goe;
When among them there is none
Twinlesse, nor a barren one.
And thy Lips are of a red;
Like the Rosie-colour'd thread.
3
Speech becomming thee thou hast.Vnderneath thy Tresses plac't
Are thy Temples (matchlesse faire)
Which (o'reshadow'd with thy haire)
Like Pomegranats doe appeare,
When they cut asunder are.
4
To that Fort thy Neck's compar'd,Which with Bulwarkes Dauid rear'd;
Where a thousand shields are hung,
All the Targets of the Strong.
Breasts thou hast like twinned Roes,
Feeding where the Lilly growes.
5
While day-breake, and shades are gone,To the Mountains I will runne:
To that hill whence Mirrhe doth come,
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Thou my Loue all beautie art,
Spotlesse-faire in eu'ry part.
6
Come my Spouse from Libanum,Come with mee from Libanum.
From Amana turne thy sight,
Shenir's top, and Hermons height;
From the dennes of Lyons fell,
And the hills where Leopards dwell.
7
Thou, my Sister, thou art shee,Of my heart that robbeth mee;
Thou, my Spouse, oh thou art shee,
Of my heart that robbeth me,
With one of thine eies aspect,
And with one locke of thy necke.
8
Sister, and espoused-Peere,Those thy Breasts how farre they are!
Better be those Dugs of thine,
Then the most delitious wine:
And thine Oyntments odours are,
Sweeter then all Spices farre.
9
Loue, thy Lips drop sweetnesse so,As the Combs of Hony doe.
Thou hast vnderneath thy Tongue
Hony mixt with Milke among.
And thy Robes doe sent as well,
As the Frankincense doth smell.
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10
Thou, my Sister, and espous'd,Art a Garden, fast inclos'd;
Walled-Spring, a Fountaine seal'd;
And the Plants thy Orchyard yeeld
Are of the Pomgranate-tree,
With those fruits that pleasant bee.
11
Camphire there with Nard doth grow,Nard, commixt with Crocus too,
Calamus, and Cinamon,
with all trees of Libanum;
Sweetest Aloes and Myrrhe,
And all Spice that precious are.
12
All the Gardens eu'ry where,Take their first beginning there.
There the precious Fountaine lies,
Whence all liuing waters rise:
Euen all those Streames that come,
Running downe from Libanum.
| The Hymnes and Songs of the Chvrch | |