BRIDE.
Sonet XI.
1
O how I'm
ravisht with eternall blisse!
Who e're thought heavē a joy cōpar'd to this?
How doe the pleasures of this glorious Face
Adde glory to the glory of this place!
See, how Kings Courts surmoūt poore Shepheards cells,
So this, the pride of Salomon excells;
Rich wreathes of glory crowne his royall Head,
And troopes of Angels waite upon his bed.
2
The Court of Princely Salomon was guarded
With able men at armes; their faith rewarded
With fading honours, subject to the fate
Of Fortune, and the jealous frownes of State;
But here th'harmonious quire of heaven attend,
Whose prize is glory, glory without end,
Vnmixt with doubtings, or degenerous feare;
A greater Prince, than Salomon is here!
3
The Bridall bed of Princely Salomon,
(Whose beautie amaz'd the greedie lookers on,
Which all the world admired to behold
Was but of Cedar; and her Sted of gold;
Her pillars silver, and her Canopie
Of silkes, but richly stain'd with purple die;
Her curtaines wrought in workes, workes rarely led
By th'needles art, such was the bridall bed.
4
Svch was the bridall bed, which Time, or Age
Durst never warrant from th'opprobrious rage
Of envious fate; Earths measure's but a minit;
Earth fades; all fades upon it; all within it;
O, but the glorie' of this diviner place,
No age can injure, nor yet Time deface;
Too bright an object, for weake eyes to bide,
Or tongues t'expresse: Who ever saw't but dyde?
5
Who e're beheld the royall Crowne, set on
The nuptiall browes of Princely Salomon?
His glorious pompe, whose honour did display
The noysed triumphs of his Marriage day?
A greater Prince, than Salomon is here,
The beauty of whose Nuptials, shall appeare
More glorious farre transcending his, as farre
As heavens bright lamp out-shines th'obscurest star
