University of Virginia Library

The Lovers Jubile.

'Twas Evening when the Suns departure made
The open grounds a comfortable shade;
When walking forth to view the fragrant Fields,
The sweet variety that Flora yields,
Near to a Myrtle Grove a Cave I spy'd,
By which a pleasant Stream did gently glide:
Amidst the Grove an ancient Altar stands,
Almost defac'd by irreligious hands.
This I repair'd, and said, O Goddess, now,
Who e're thou art, receive my sacred Vow,
And grant my Suit, and let some pity move
In Clelia's Heart a more propitious Love.
Off'rings by me shall ever be repaid
Upon this Altar, though by time decay'd,
And Mans ingratitude. Then looking round,
I spy'd an Iv'ry Image on the ground.
Hail Power, said I, what implous hand hath done
So vile an Act? who wou'd such honour shun?
I washt it in the Stream, and to it said,
Ah beautious Image, fair Pigmaleon Maid:
Then gazing on it, where a Fillet ty'd
The Ivory Hair, this Motto I espy'd;
In Honour of the mighty Cyprean Goddess.
O thou Illustrious Queen of Love, said I,
What Hand cou'd do this great Impiety?
What Impious Creature was it durst prophane
Thy sacred Shrine? O Sin without a Name!
Against a Myrtle by the Altar stood
The Goddess Seat, Arch'd round with Carved Wood,
There I the Image set, and having laid
My Hand upon the Altar, thus I pray'd.
Great Paphian Goddess, Cytherean Shrine,
Whose presence, I acknowledge, is Divine.
If to this Grove, or Altar I have done
Ought Meritor'ous, or have favour won,
Let Love to all more mild and gentle be,
And cease to punish Mans Impiety.
A thousand Lovers shall this Grove frequent,
And offer Odours of the purest scent.
The Shepherds that possess the Vales shall bring
Their Sheep-hooks crown'd to thee an Offering.
The Altar shook, the Myrtles seem'd to move,
Resounding murmuring Notes of happy Love.
Celestial Musick did salute my Ears,
VVhen lo, the God of Love to me appears,
And says, Young Man, this Bow my hand doth hold,
Lets fly no Arrow, but the Head is Gold.
Thy Prayer is heard, the Goddess is appeas'd,
And every Lover of his pain is eas'd.
No Jealousie or Fears shall now torment
A Lovers Joy, or ravish his Content.
The fairest Nymphs, whose Beauty wins the Bays,
Shall sing Encomiums of her Lovers praise.
The fairest Shepherdess (for Love hath Charms)
Shall fold a naked Shepherd in her Arms;
Fair Daphne playing on a rural Quill,
Both Hills and Dales with Corydon shall fill,
And Corydon shall VVoods and Springs possess
VVith praises of his Loving Shepherdess.
Loves mutual Sympathy shall Crown the Year,
And thou whose Heart doth Loves Idea bear,
Shalt in thy Clelia find a quick return,
VVho, in thy absence, flames of Love do burn:
And e're the Sun the Horizon decline,
Her beautious Body shall be joyn'd to thine.
This said, he lightly from the Altar Springs,
And Fans the sounding Grove with tow'ring wings.
Then on a sudden, through my swelling Veins
Loves passion glides, and all my Bones inflames;
And having gain'd the Conquest of my Breast,
Reigns Monarch there, and scorns to be supprest.
The Goddess then adoring, I a way
Espy'd, which 'twixt the Shrine and Altar lay:
This path I follow'd, Fortune was my guide,
And led me all along the River side,
VVhere Multitude of Lovers did resort,
Filling the Fields with all delightful sport.
Some in the stream their tender Limbs unite,
Like Salamacis and Hermaphrodite;
Others upon the ground so closely lye,
You'd take them for the Zodiack Geminy.
One's plaiting Garlands, 'tother's twisting Boughs,
Commixt with Flowers, to bind her Lovers brows.
One's braiding of the Hair, another tries
VVith pleasant Songs to close her Lovers Eyes.
This seeming coy, a thousand pretty ways
Her eager Lover to her Arms betrays.
That skill'd in nothing, but pure Innocence,
Thinks to delay her Lover's an offence.
O happy place! said I, and down I lay
Upon a rising ground that did survey
The posture of each Lover, when from far
A Lady came, just as a rising Star.
The lighter Vestments that her parts infold,
VVere Azure Silk, and interweav'd with Gold;
Her Hair was braided, drest with Ribbons; so
Iris appears, drest in her mantling Bow.
A Silver Veil her beauteous Face did shade,
So fine, you'd say 'twas by Arachne made.
The emulous Winds her swelling Garments kiss,
VVhich to my view betray'd a Lovers Bliss.
I gaz'd, not able to revert my Eyes
From Loves great Charms, and sacred Novelties:
Thy Fate, Acteon, then I did bemone,
And fear'd it instantly might be my own;
But as she nearer came unto my view,
My doubts were clear'd, and I my Clelia knew;
I ran to meet her, when her eager steps
Prevents my speed, and in my Arms she leaps;
Clasping I laid me gently on the ground,
Millions of kisses their successors found.
I ruffled up her Silks which kept the way
Unto the Paradise where Cupid lay;
She made resistance, such as might be said,
Thou shalt enjoy, and yet I'le dye a Maid.
Her Eyes declar'd her Pleasure and Content,
And what she did was out of Complement.
What thought can know the Pleasures I enjoy'd?
Immortal Pleasures, never to be cloy'd.
But till in modest terms I can express
My full fruition, you have leave to guess.
VVe bound our Brows with Myrtle, and return'd
Unto the Grove, and sweetest Odours burn'd;
VVe deck'd the Shrine with Garlands, and this day
For ever we our Annual Rites will pay;
And unto every Lover this shall be
(Great Paphian Queen) a joyful Jubile.