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 |  |
Thus, having view'd the lofty Bow'r again,
Let's Glance upon the lowly Shepheards Plain,
With that daies solemn Festivall, and sports,
Devote to th' great God Pan, of various sorts;
Though damped much since young Polindor gone:
Whose Morn dissolv'd in friendly'st mirth, anon
By eleven, they offred thus on grassie Mount
To th' rurall God, beneath his sacred Fount.
Twelve milk-white chosen Kids, twelve snowy Lambs,
Fine trim'd their necks with Garlands (whilst their Dams
Went sadly'st bleating oft) with Milk and Wine:
Then, round the Altar all did strait combine
To rustick-tuned sounds, in jolly Dance,
As thus, both Hearts and Heels would joyn, t' advance
Their burning Sacrifice: grand Feast ensuing.
That done, as th' Even-games, their sports renewing,
These Pannick Strifes for Prizes were ordain'd:
First, nimblest Running prov'd, who chiefly attain'd
The flow'r-deck'd Goal, through wind-like Footmanship:
Next, who in manly Wrastling could out-strip,
By strength, or slight o're-throw the Adversary:
Third, who could Musicks speciall honour carry,
Like some quaint-curl'd Apollo, mounted on
Rays'd Skaffold, Stage; prove eminent alone
For th' sweet-tongu'd Harp, Recorder, Lute and voyce:
Each goodly Prize surrendred by their choyce
May-Ladies hand; though sundry Judges still
Sate by, conjoyn'd Commissioners, whose skill
Determin'd all. For close, whoe're in Verse
Could from Star-soaring Muse, to th' height, rehearse
God Pan's, or their own Loves exalted prayses,
Those Poet's name, with crown of Lawrell, graces.
Let's Glance upon the lowly Shepheards Plain,
With that daies solemn Festivall, and sports,
Devote to th' great God Pan, of various sorts;
Though damped much since young Polindor gone:
Whose Morn dissolv'd in friendly'st mirth, anon
By eleven, they offred thus on grassie Mount
To th' rurall God, beneath his sacred Fount.
Twelve milk-white chosen Kids, twelve snowy Lambs,
Fine trim'd their necks with Garlands (whilst their Dams
Went sadly'st bleating oft) with Milk and Wine:
Then, round the Altar all did strait combine
To rustick-tuned sounds, in jolly Dance,
As thus, both Hearts and Heels would joyn, t' advance
Their burning Sacrifice: grand Feast ensuing.
That done, as th' Even-games, their sports renewing,
These Pannick Strifes for Prizes were ordain'd:
First, nimblest Running prov'd, who chiefly attain'd
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Next, who in manly Wrastling could out-strip,
By strength, or slight o're-throw the Adversary:
Third, who could Musicks speciall honour carry,
Like some quaint-curl'd Apollo, mounted on
Rays'd Skaffold, Stage; prove eminent alone
For th' sweet-tongu'd Harp, Recorder, Lute and voyce:
Each goodly Prize surrendred by their choyce
May-Ladies hand; though sundry Judges still
Sate by, conjoyn'd Commissioners, whose skill
Determin'd all. For close, whoe're in Verse
Could from Star-soaring Muse, to th' height, rehearse
God Pan's, or their own Loves exalted prayses,
Those Poet's name, with crown of Lawrell, graces.
| The History of Polindor and Flostella | |