University of Virginia Library

Forthwith, as if a second Sun had rose,
And stroue with greater brightnesse, to depose
The glory of the first, the Bridegroome came,
Vsher'd along with Eagle-winged Fame,
Whose twice fiue hundred mouthes did at one blast
Inspire a thousand Trumpets, as he past.
His nuptiall vesture was of Scarlet Dye
So deepe, as it would dazle a weake eye
To gaze vpon't; to which, the curious Art
Of the laborious needle did impart
So great a glorie, that you might behold
A rising Sunne, imbost with purest gold,
From whence ten thousand trailes of gold came down
In waued poynts, like Sunbeames from that Sun:
Thus from his Chamber, midd'st the vulgar Crowd
(Like Titan breaking through a gloomy cloud)
The long expected Bridegroome came, and past
Th'amazed multitude, till at the last,
His Herauld brought him to the Hall of State,
When all th'Arcadian Nobles did awaite
To welcome his approach, and to discharge
The lowder volley of their ioyes at large.
The Hall was spacious, lightsome, and bestrow'd
With Flora's wealth (a bountie that she ow'd
This glorious feast) The wals were richly clad
With curious Tap'strie; (such as Greece ne're had
Before this day) wherein you might behold,
Wrought to the life, in colourd silkes, and gold,
This present Story of these peerelesse Louers,
Which, like a silent Chronicle, discouers
The seuerall passages, that did befall
'Twixt their first meeting, and their nuptiall;
Deuis'd and wrought by Virgins borne in Greece,
Presented to this Triumph, as a peece
Deuoted to the memorie and fame
Of Argalus, and his Parthenia's name.
No sooner was the Ceremony ended,
(Wherein each noble spirit more contended
T'expresse affection, then affect th'expession
Of courtly Rhet'rick, in a bare profession
Of ayrie friendship) but a sudden shout
Of rudely mingled voyces flew throughout
The spatious Castle, which confus'dly cry'd
Ioy to Parthenia, to the fairest Bride.