HKB
That, more readily listening, Whiles your song to familiar Duty calls him, he hie apace, Lord of fair paramours, of youth's Fair affection uniter. 45
Who more worthy than he to list Lovers wearily languishing? Bends from heaven a sovereign God adorabler? Hymen, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 50
You the father in years for his Child beseecheth; a virginal Zone falls slackly to earth for you, You half-fear in his hankering Lists the groomsman approaching. 55
You from motherly lap the bright Girl can sever; your hand divine Gives dominion, ushering Warm the lover. O Hymen, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 60
Nought delightful, if you be far, Nought unharmed of envious Tongues, Love wins him: if you be near Much he wins him. O excellent God, that hath not a rival. 65
Houses cannot, if you be far, Yield their children, a babe renew Sire or mother: if you be near, Comes renewal. O excellent God, that hath not a rival. 70
If your great ceremonial Fail, no champion yeomanry Guards the border. If you be near Arms the border. O excellent God, that hath not a rival. 75
Fling the portal apart. The bride Waits. O see ye the luminous Torch-flakes ruddily flickering? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nought she hears us: her innocent (80) Eyes do weep to be going. 85
Weep not, lady; for envious Tongue no lovelier owneth, Au- Runculeia; nor any more Fair saw rosily bright the dawn (85) Leave his chamber in Ocean. 90
Such in many a flowering Garden, trimm'd for a lord's delight, Stands some delicate hyacinth. Yet you tarry. The day declines. (90) Forth, fair bride, to the people. 95
Forth, fair bride, to the people, if So it likes you, a-listening Words that please us. O eye ye yon Torches ruddily flickering? (95) Forth, fair bride, to the people. 100
Husband never of yours shall haunt Stained wanton, a mutinous Fancy shamefully following, Tire not ever, or e'er from your (100) Dainty bosom unyoke him. 105
He more lithe than a vine amid Trees, that, mazily folded, it Clasps and closes, in amorous Arms shall close thee. The day declines. (105) Forth, fair bride, to the people. 110
Couch of pleasure, O odorous Couch, whose gorgeous apparellings, Silver-purple, on Indian Woods do rest them; adown the bright Feet in ivory glisten; 115
When thy lord in his hour attains, What large extasy, while the night (110) Fleets, or noon the meridian Passes thoro'. The day declines. Forth, fair bride, to the people. 120
Lift the torches aloft in air, Boys: the fiery veil is here. (115) Come, to measure your hymn rehearse. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 125
Nor withhold ye the countryman's Ribald raillery Fescenine. (120) Nor if happily boys declare Thy dominion attaint, refuse, Youth, the nuts to be flinging. 130
Fling, O womanish youth; the boys Ask thee charity. Time agone (125) Toys and folly; to-day begins Our high duty, Talassius. Hasten, youth, to be flinging. 135
Thou didst surely but yestereve Mock the women, a favourite (130) Far above them: anon the first Beard, the razor. Alack, alas! Hasten, youth, to be flinging. 140
You, whom odorous oils declare Bridegroom, swerve not; a slippery (135) Love calls lightly, but yet refrain. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 145
Lawful only did e'er delight You, we know; but it is not, O (140) Husband, lawful as heretofore. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 150
Bride, thou also, if he demand Aught, refuse not, assent, obey. (145) Love can angrily pipe adieu. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 155
Look! thy mansion, a sovereign Home most goodly, by him to thee (150) Given. Reign as a queen within, Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 160