University of Virginia Library

Cant. III.

Sponsa.
Stretcht on my Restlesse Bed, all night
I vainly sought my Souls Delight;
Then rose, the Citie searcht: No Street,
No Angle my unwearyed Feet
Vntraced left: Yet could not find
The Onely solace of my Mind.
When Lo, the Watch who walk the Round,
Me in my Souls distemper found:
Of whom, with passion, I enquir'd;
Saw you the Man so much desir'd?
Nor many steps had farther past,
But found my Love, and held him fast:
Fast held, till I the so long sought
Had to my Mothers Mansion brought.
In that adorned Chamber laid,
Of her, who gave me life, I said:
You Daughters of Ierusalem,
You Branches of that holy Stem,
I, by the Mountain Roes, and by
The Hinds, which through the Forrest fly;
Adjure you that you silence keep,
Nor, till he call, disturb his sleep.

Chorus.
What Beautie from the Desert comes,
Like Spires of Smoak rais'd from sweet gums!
With Aromaticke Powders fraught,
By Merchants from Sabæa brought.

Sponsa.
Behold the Bed he rests upon,
The Royall Bed of Solomon:
Twice thirtie Souldiers, who excell
In Valor, Sons of Israel,
So dreadfull to their Enemies,
Their bright Swords mounted on their thighs,
His Person guard from the affright,
And Treasons of concealing Night.
King Solomon a Chariot made,
Of Trees from Lebanon convay'd:
The Pillars Silver, and the Throne
With Gold of Indian Ophir shone:
With Tyrian Purple ceil'd above,
For Sions Daughters pav'd with Love.
Come Holy Virgins, O come forth,
Behold a Spectacle of worth!
Behold the Royall Solomon,
High mounted on his Fathers Throne,
Crown'd with the Crown his mother plac'd
On his smooth Brows, with Iems enchac'd,
At that solemniz'd Nuptiall Feast,
When Ioy his ravish't Soul possest.