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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 | The History of Polindor and Flostella |  |
But (lo) our fond and eager Muse o'relong
Can't from that matchless Payr, amidst the throng
Of Virgin-sisterhood, be over-sway'd;
Much time (howe're) Deceas'd, since last survay'd:
Althusa, proving in the Evens cool
Double-retir'd at once (through thoughtfull Soul)
To her own Brest, and to her Chamber too,
Whilst most oth' Nymphy train abroad did woo
Choice Evening-sports (some treading round their Maze.
Or 'bout their Founts, some breath'd with Running plays,
For Fishing, gathering Flow'rs) sate musing on
Her pretty strange Life, fortunes, all alone;
Sad-pleasant state, since Loves main youthfull fire
Unquenched yet, check'd in her dear Desire:
Oyle poured still upon the Flame, while tasting
Love-sallets, sweets, preserves, still hungry, Fasting.
Pledora her Consort too, the more she's known,
Beheld, still more divine-stamp'd Object shone
To th' sounder Reason, beauteous more to th' Sence;
Griev'd thus, till Union'd with such excellence;
Her Body, through her lovely Soul, made more
Attractive, strong, though Charm'd enough before:
Yea, through her Windowes too, that moment view'd.
The Gardens clasping Woodbines, Vines renew'd
Conjugall folds resemblances; their Young
Birds chaunted o're, as Loves effects they sung.
Cloy'd through these solemn thoughts, conceits, to those
More Sportive strait she falls, survaying goes
Her Female dress, in smiles, as if sh' had sayd,
And can such Fires these Virgin-robes invade?
What, lurking here? though Masque-like toyes (alas)
She-cobwebs, Mists, which nought could Sex deface,
Damp lusty Manhood; nights especially,
When with their sorty Spells cashir'd, layd by.
Next, Cheers up, since her blisfull Freedomes hour
Drawn nigh, and those delayes ith' Vestall Bow'r
('Twas thought) would primely Sweeten full Fruition;
Recompence all with Ravishing condition.
Thus, Sober, pleas'd, took down Pledoras Lute
(At which with learned'st Masters could dispute)
Then, gently kissing it (which seem'd as 'twere
Ambitious with Althusas Passion's there,
To warble forth at once its Mistress prayses,
Joyfull, complying) thus he gladsome chases
Dull moody Fogs from thence, in sweetest tones
But soft withall, Amphion so charm'd Stones.
Can't from that matchless Payr, amidst the throng
Of Virgin-sisterhood, be over-sway'd;
Much time (howe're) Deceas'd, since last survay'd:
Althusa, proving in the Evens cool
Double-retir'd at once (through thoughtfull Soul)
To her own Brest, and to her Chamber too,
Whilst most oth' Nymphy train abroad did woo
Choice Evening-sports (some treading round their Maze.
Or 'bout their Founts, some breath'd with Running plays,
For Fishing, gathering Flow'rs) sate musing on
Her pretty strange Life, fortunes, all alone;
Sad-pleasant state, since Loves main youthfull fire
Unquenched yet, check'd in her dear Desire:
Oyle poured still upon the Flame, while tasting
Love-sallets, sweets, preserves, still hungry, Fasting.
Pledora her Consort too, the more she's known,
Beheld, still more divine-stamp'd Object shone
To th' sounder Reason, beauteous more to th' Sence;
Griev'd thus, till Union'd with such excellence;
Her Body, through her lovely Soul, made more
Attractive, strong, though Charm'd enough before:
Yea, through her Windowes too, that moment view'd.
The Gardens clasping Woodbines, Vines renew'd
Conjugall folds resemblances; their Young
Birds chaunted o're, as Loves effects they sung.
Cloy'd through these solemn thoughts, conceits, to those
More Sportive strait she falls, survaying goes
Her Female dress, in smiles, as if sh' had sayd,
And can such Fires these Virgin-robes invade?
71
She-cobwebs, Mists, which nought could Sex deface,
Damp lusty Manhood; nights especially,
When with their sorty Spells cashir'd, layd by.
Next, Cheers up, since her blisfull Freedomes hour
Drawn nigh, and those delayes ith' Vestall Bow'r
('Twas thought) would primely Sweeten full Fruition;
Recompence all with Ravishing condition.
Thus, Sober, pleas'd, took down Pledoras Lute
(At which with learned'st Masters could dispute)
Then, gently kissing it (which seem'd as 'twere
Ambitious with Althusas Passion's there,
To warble forth at once its Mistress prayses,
Joyfull, complying) thus he gladsome chases
Dull moody Fogs from thence, in sweetest tones
But soft withall, Amphion so charm'd Stones.
| The History of Polindor and Flostella | |