University of Virginia Library

Haue ye beheld in frosty winters Euen,
When all the lesser twinkling lamps of heauen
Are fully kindled, how the ruddy face
Of rising Cynthia lookes with what a grace
She views the Throne of darkenesse, and aspires
Th'Olympick brow, amidst the smaller fires?
So after all these sparkes of beauty, came
(They were but sparks to such a glorious flame)
The fayre Parthenia, thus the rose-cheek'd Bride
Enters the roome; A milke white vayle did hide
Her blushing face; which, ne'erthelesse discloses
Some glymps of red, like Lawne o're spreading roses;
Thus entred she; The garments, that she wore,
Were made of Purple silke, bespangled o're
With Starres of purest gold, and round about
Each seuerall Starre went, winding in, and out,
A trayle of orient pearle, so rarely wrought,
That as the garments moou'd, you would haue thought,
The Starres had twinckled; Her dissheueld hayre
Hung downe behind, as if the onely care
Had bin to reconcile neglect and Art,
Hang loosely downe, and vayl'd the backer part
Of those her sky-resembling robes; but so,
That euery breath would waue it too and fro,
Like flying clouds; through which, you might discouer
Sometimes one glim'ring Starre, sometimes another:
Thus on she went; her ample traine supported
By thrice three virgins, euenly siz'd and sorted
In purple robes: forthwith, the Bridegroome rises
From off his chaire; bowes downe; and sacrifices
The peacefull offring of a morning kisse,
Vpon her lips: To such a Saint as this,
O, what rebellious heart could chose but bowe,
And offer freely the perpetuall vowe
Of choyce obedience?