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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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SONG. XIIII. The sixt Canticle. Arise thou North-winde from the North
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SONG. XIIII. The sixt Canticle. Arise thou North-winde from the North

[1]

Arise thou North-winde from the North,
And from the South, thou South-winde blow:
Vpon my Garden breath yee forth,
That so my Spices (there that grow,)

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From thence abundantly may flow.
And to thy Garden come my Deare,
To eate thy fruits of pleasure there.

2

My Sister, and espoused Peere,
Vnto my Garden I am come:
My Spice I gather'd with my Myrrhe:
I ate my Hony in the Combe,
And drunk my wine with milke among.
Come Friends, and Best-belou'd of mee,
Come eate, and drinke, and merry bee

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3

I slept, but yet my heart did wake
It is my Loue I knocking heare:
It was his Voyce, and thus he spake;
Come open vnto mee, my Deare,
My Loue, my Doue, my Spotlesse-Peere:
For, with the deaw my head is dight;
My Locks with droppings of the night.

4

Loe, I haue now vndressed mee:
Why should I cloath me, as before?
And since my feet cleane washed be,
Why should I soyle them anymore?
Then, through the Crevice of the doore
Appear'd the Hand of my Belou'd;
And towards him my heart was mou'd.

5

I rose vnto my Loue to ope,
And from my Hands distilled Myrrhe;
Pure Myrrhe did from my fingers drop
Vpon the handles of the Barre.
But, then departed was my Deare.
When by his Voyce I knew 'twas he,
My heart was like to faint in mee.

6

I sought; but seene he could not be:
I call'd; but heard no answer sound.
The Citie-Watchmen met with me,
As they were walking of the Round,
And gaue me stripes that made a wound:
Yea, they that watch & ward the Wall,
Eu'n they haue tooke away my veyle.