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The works of Sr William Davenant

... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies
  

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The SONG.
  
  
  

The SONG.

1

The Planets though they move so fast,
Have power to make their swiftness last,
But see, your strength is quickly gone!
Yet move by sense and rules of Art,
And each hath an immortal part,
Which cannot tire, but they have none.

2

Let then your soft, and nimble feet
Lead and in various figures meet
Those stranger Knights, who though they came
Seduc'd at first by false desire,
You'le kindle in their breasts a fire
Shall keep Love warm, yet not inflame.

3

At first they wear your beauties prize,
Now offer willing Sacrifice
Unto the Vertues of the mind,
And each shall wear when they depart,
A lawful though a loving heart,
And wish you still both strict and kind.
The Masquers having a while reposed, danced their second Dance, which ended, and the Queen being seated under the State by the King, the Sceæn was changed into the true temple of Chast Love; this Temple instead of Columnes had terms of young Satyrs bearing up the returns of Architrane Freeze and Coronice, all enrich'd of Gold-Smiths work, the farther part of the Temple running far from the eye was design'd of another kind of Architecture, with Pillasters, Neeches,

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and Statues, and in the midst a stately gate adorn'd with Colomns and their Ornaments, and a Frontispice on the top, all which seemed to be of burnish'd Gold. Into this Temple enters Sunesis and Thelema; Sunesis a man of a noble Aspect, and richly attir'd; his garment of Cloth of Gold reaching down below his knees, and girt with a tuck at the wast, with wide sleeves turn'd up; his mantle of Watchet fastned on both shoulders, and hanging long down behind, a Garland of Sinope on his head, with a flame of fire issuing out of it, his Buskins were yellow, wrought with Gold. Thelema a young woman in a Robe of changeable Silk, girt with several tucks, under her breast, and beneath her wast, and great leaves of silver about her shoulders hanging down to the midst of her Arm; upon her head a Garland of great Marigolds, and puffs of silver'd Lawn between. And at her shoulders were Angels wings, these sung this Dialogue, assisted by the Chori.