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The History of Polindor and Flostella

With Other Poems. By I. H. [i.e. John Harington] The third Edition, Revised and much Enlarged

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Here, gentler rapping Larum's heard at Door;
When looking forth, O blest mysterious Hour!
More seems Accomplish'd still [Two now made one]
Cry'd out Rufin) There stands that Priest alone,
My ancient Friend, shall do th' Uniting Feat;
Fed late by me, reliev'd; who, when that great
Phœbean Temple sunk in Martiall flame
Through Wars in Thrace, to's native Country came,
Fled hither; now ith' next great Town Tregor:
Nor need this Priest to share your Secret more
Then that oth' Marriage-part. Much joy'd Polin,
Who thus, their Priest withdrawn, th' whole Plot design'd
South-side, there joyn'd small Outlet to the Grove,
As part, divided yet (by chance his Love
At first had so informed him) not deem'd
Sacred by th' Nuns, nor Hallow'd ground esteem'd
As was that Grovy Plot; 'twas ample Bow'r,
Tall fenced round; to th' Grove one bolted door
Belong'd, whilst th' other pass'd into the Field:
Free place to th' Nuns, who rarely'st though would yeild
This Bower their visitings, save once the Year,
When solemn Feasts to th' Foundress honour were;
Since here she enter'd first, her Limbs repos'd
First here, first Vowings in this Plot disclos'd.

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Thus, usefull Minde, should next morn, by eight,
Move with Flostellas help the Priestess strait
For Nun of choyces place (that Oracle
First shewn his Love) conjure her then to th' full,
That, as kind civill Partner on the way,
Both tracing forth, she'd winding-fashion stray
To th' Outlets sculking bow'r (Himself, Rufin
Lodg'd ith' next Cops, with Phœbus Priest, unseen)
Where Marry'd, thence she might most safe retire:
Next Morn he'd joyn himself to th' Vestall quire.
This told he closely to Rufin, besought
Kind Minde (of councell too) as th' onely Plot;
Since, Vestall grove for th' Act Flostella nere
Would yeild; foul danger too, grand Crime it were:
Priest then for cloze (since promis'd nobler Wages)
Being call'd, for th' Marriage-part most strongly engages.