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 |  |
The
Reader now does seem (methinks) t'accuse
And charge with heavy Guilt my bashfull Muse;
Since his, with poor Polindors Longing fit
Less Pitty'd by me, unrelieved yet:
Th' Hours neer at hand, as though betimes befriended
Nights shades the Bridesgroom's wish; whose Supper ended,
Both walking forth for second bout, awhile;
Polindor strait with pleasing Task and smile,
Undrest those Flowry banks (which seem'd grown proud
Their fragrant Tresses th' honour were allow'd
To serve flow'rs beauteous Queen) th' unspoyled place
Rich-stor'd with them: Whence, with triumphant grace,
He guarded in th' All-tempting Bride, at dore
Kiss-welcome given her. Then's ransack'd ore
That Linnen-chest, where dainty'st Persian sheets,
With whom for silken braveness sprucely fits
Green Sattin Quilt, by th' Hermit brought from Ind;
Their Bridall Bed's dispatch'd, the joy'd Polind
Chief Agent there, still truly'st styl'd Brides-groom,
Next, strow'd with Paunseys round th' adorned Room,
Pinks, Violets; Rose-deck'd the lovely Bed;
Last, nimble Brides-mayd turn'd (ith Bower well-bred)
In part undress'd her, brisk t'uncobweb so
That choycest cased Pearl: disclouded (lo)
Like Shot Star strait into her Bed she glides:
Then he, as though some Harness gaul'd his sides,
Stiff, burly Male, strait vanish'd forth his cloaths,
Which like to Tinder, Vapours, lightly blowes
Off from him; seiz'd his gallant Egle's prey,
That divine Jelly, sweet'st Ambrosia:
Lock'd in her armes like Earthly Sun and Moon,
Or rather style them Male and Female Sun:
Whose Beauties blest his Optick sence (through dear
Officious Twilight) partly glim'ring there
Much like the Morn, with sweet and sparkling Graces;
So twinckle Diamons in gloomy places;
Transporting Fancy more through th' active Eye,
Touch, both at once, whence doubled extasie.
Both now prepar'd to practise, reall fashion
(What late but Promis'd, vow'd) Self-resignation;
Their true love coupling Souls conjoyned too
As well as Bodies modellizing so
In one Compound, all humane excellence.
Polindor's ready now to reap from thence,
For all Loves Toyls, the blisfull Harvest treasure;
Yea, reap in One bound up all Bridall Pleasure
Sweet'st ere enjoy'd, summ'd up in her Alone:
Where leave them to those Mystick joyes, unknown;
Too High for any else to know, or dare
To comprehend, unless th' Immortall Payr
Loves Goddess, Venus, with her amorous Son,
Which mov'd these Fires; to those be th' honour done:
None else Presume to reach their Height, least be
Confounded through Dispayr'd felicity.
Next, leave them Both for slumbring, soft Reposes,
Till th' early Morn her pleasing smiles discloses;
Whose Dreams may those advance, yet heighten more,
Seem Visions of past Sweets, enjoy'd before.
And charge with heavy Guilt my bashfull Muse;
Since his, with poor Polindors Longing fit
Less Pitty'd by me, unrelieved yet:
Th' Hours neer at hand, as though betimes befriended
Nights shades the Bridesgroom's wish; whose Supper ended,
Both walking forth for second bout, awhile;
Polindor strait with pleasing Task and smile,
Undrest those Flowry banks (which seem'd grown proud
Their fragrant Tresses th' honour were allow'd
To serve flow'rs beauteous Queen) th' unspoyled place
Rich-stor'd with them: Whence, with triumphant grace,
He guarded in th' All-tempting Bride, at dore
Kiss-welcome given her. Then's ransack'd ore
That Linnen-chest, where dainty'st Persian sheets,
With whom for silken braveness sprucely fits
Green Sattin Quilt, by th' Hermit brought from Ind;
Their Bridall Bed's dispatch'd, the joy'd Polind
Chief Agent there, still truly'st styl'd Brides-groom,
Next, strow'd with Paunseys round th' adorned Room,
Pinks, Violets; Rose-deck'd the lovely Bed;
Last, nimble Brides-mayd turn'd (ith Bower well-bred)
93
That choycest cased Pearl: disclouded (lo)
Like Shot Star strait into her Bed she glides:
Then he, as though some Harness gaul'd his sides,
Stiff, burly Male, strait vanish'd forth his cloaths,
Which like to Tinder, Vapours, lightly blowes
Off from him; seiz'd his gallant Egle's prey,
That divine Jelly, sweet'st Ambrosia:
Lock'd in her armes like Earthly Sun and Moon,
Or rather style them Male and Female Sun:
Whose Beauties blest his Optick sence (through dear
Officious Twilight) partly glim'ring there
Much like the Morn, with sweet and sparkling Graces;
So twinckle Diamons in gloomy places;
Transporting Fancy more through th' active Eye,
Touch, both at once, whence doubled extasie.
Both now prepar'd to practise, reall fashion
(What late but Promis'd, vow'd) Self-resignation;
Their true love coupling Souls conjoyned too
As well as Bodies modellizing so
In one Compound, all humane excellence.
Polindor's ready now to reap from thence,
For all Loves Toyls, the blisfull Harvest treasure;
Yea, reap in One bound up all Bridall Pleasure
Sweet'st ere enjoy'd, summ'd up in her Alone:
Where leave them to those Mystick joyes, unknown;
Too High for any else to know, or dare
To comprehend, unless th' Immortall Payr
Loves Goddess, Venus, with her amorous Son,
Which mov'd these Fires; to those be th' honour done:
None else Presume to reach their Height, least be
Confounded through Dispayr'd felicity.
Next, leave them Both for slumbring, soft Reposes,
Till th' early Morn her pleasing smiles discloses;
Whose Dreams may those advance, yet heighten more,
Seem Visions of past Sweets, enjoy'd before.
| The History of Polindor and Flostella | |