University of Virginia Library

An Epithalamium.

The Bride is up: Go, bid the Negro creep
Into the watrie bowells of the Deep,
To gather up those orient Pearles, which dwell
In the contracted casquet of a shell:
Command him to examine every rock,
To pluck off Diamonds from that craggie stock,
And hang them all on her, that so the light
That breaks from her cleare eys, may make them bright.
Behold, the active Bridegroom does appeare
Fresh as the Sun, i'th nonage of the yeare,
Whilst ev'rie flower unclasps its leaves, as he
Walks by, as if they did delight to be
Enlivened with those odours, which his breath
Does (like rich perfumes) to the ayre bequeath.
And now he meets his Bride, whilst from their eyes
A numerous constellation seems to rise:
So that each one which viewes them from afarre,
Thinks that each glance of theirs darts forth a starre.
And now the Priest has (with his Nuptiall Bands)
At once united both their hearts and hands.
And, though the Essence of their chast delight
Must be prorogu'd, till Day be mask'd with Night:
Yet see, their soules prevent their bodies blisse,
Both making hast to couple in a kisse;
Whilst on those twisted beams their eye-balls shed,
They even seem each others hearts to thred:
So that, their eyes the bodies office do,
In mingling thus; and beget Babies too.