Streams from Helicon :: :: University of Virginia Library

Bride, Bridegroom.
BRIDE.
When Nights black Mantle hath the Skies o'erspread
Loves anxious Fears disturb me on my Bed;
The Object of my Love I ever mind,
In vain I seek him whom I cannot find:
Awake my Soul, shake of the Chains of Sleep,
No longer Converse with Corruption keep;
Combat the fiercest Lust, my Lord to please,
O do not dally with a carnal Ease.
I'll rise, and round the City Streets I'll rove,
I'll sally forth to meet the God of Love:
Ev'ry broad Way, and secret Corner trace,
Seek him in ev'ry Ordinance of Grace;
I'll ne'er give o'er till I behold his Face.
I sought, and O its sad to miss him there,
The God of Jacob in the House of Prayer,
But could not find him on my bended knees,
With bleeding Heart I offer Sacrifice.
I sought him in the Fellowship of Saints,
I sought him whilst my Eyes in Tears was drown'd;

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But lo he's Deaff to all my loud Complaints,
I sought him, but he was not to be found.
At length I'm by the careful Watchmen found,
Who with unwearied Zeal perform the painful round;
To whom I cry, ye Pilots of the blind,
Direct my wand'ring Steps, my Love to find:
O saw ye him, my kind Instructors, tell,
Whom my deserted Soul doth love so well;
Tell me when my Beloved's hid from you,
What Methods do you take, what Course pursue.
I left these Pastors but a little Space,
When I had full Discoveries of his Face;
Fresh Smiles speaks Peace, his gentle Looks do move,
O! I have found him whom my Soul doth love.
With rapt'rous Joy, which none but Saints do know,
I clasp'd him, and I cannot let him go,
Until I bring him home
Unto my Mother's House, the House of God,
To th'inmost Chambers of her bless'd abode;
For I remember'd whilst I suck'd the Comb,
The hungry Sisters of my Native Home,
Who do not taste the vast, the wond'rous Bless,
But faint with Famine in the Wilderness.
I charge you, O Jerusalem's Daughters then,
That you sweet Fellowship with him maintain:
Of my Enjoyments you would always taste,
O be exceeding tender of your Guest.
I charge you by the tender Kids and Roes,
Whose Keepers dont disturb their soft Repose,

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O let not Sin and a polluted Heart
Awaken my Love, and force him to depart.

BRIDEGROOM.
Who's this with dazling Splender blinds the Eye,
In whose fair Face such Charms, such Love I spy;
Who's this array'd in rich embroider'd Dress,
Come flaming from the stormy Wilderness.
As smoaky Pillars from the Incense rise,
So on the Wings of Love she from the Desart flys,
Perfum'd with Myrrh, smells like the flow'ry Spring,
With odours, and with Incense meets her King:
With Pouders choice, of which the Merchant boasts,
She's richly freighted for Immanual's Coasts.

BRIDE.
O from my borrow'd Beauty turn thine Eyes,
I see a Sun with uncreated Rays;
Behold King Solomon with Glory spread,
Behold him leaning on his Iv'ry Bed;
Where Saints with holy Fellowship are fed.
A Guard of sixty Warriours rails the Place,
Strong valiant Isra'lites, made bold by Grace;
Not naked Sentinels, fam'd Sons of War,
Who from the holy Spot, unholy Souls debar.
Expert in War by long Experience grown,
They fight with Valour for a heavenly Crown:
The slaughtering Sword hangs closely at their Thigh
They nobly fight and conquer th'Enemy:
With Armour cloth'd, still ready for the Fight,
They fear no Foe, nor Terrours through the Night.

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A Chariots made by great King Solomon,
Of fitest Wood, the Wood of Lebanon:
Such is his matchless Love, O Saints behold,
Its Pillars Silver, and its Bottom Gold:
With purple Coverings adorn'd above,
The midst is pav'd, for Zion's sake, with Love.
O Zion's Daughters, with a cheerful sound
Rush forth; behold King Solomon is crown'd;
That Crown he wears, that Scepter he doth sway,
His Mother gave him on his nuptial Day:
A memorable Day for Joy and Mirth,
When he rejoyc'd in Heart, and blest the Earth.