Then pray'd the pow'rs the fruitful bed to bless, And made all fure enough with holiness.

316

And now the palace-gates are open'd wide,
The guests appear in order, fide by fide,
And plac'd in ftate, the bridegroom and the bride.
The breathing flute's foft notes are heard around,
And the fhrill trumpets mix their filver found ;
The vaulted roofs with echoing mufick ring, 320
Thefe touch the vocal ftops, and those the trem-
bling ftring.

Not thus Amphion tun'd the warbling lyre,
Nor Joab the founding clarion could infpire,
Nor fierce Theodomas, whose sprightly strain
Could fwell the foul to rage, and fire the martial

train.
325
Bacchus himself, the nuptial feast to grace,
(So Poets fing) was present on the place :
And lovely Venus, Goddess of delight,
Shook high her flaming torch in open fight,
And danc'd around, and fmil'd on ev'ry knight:
Pleas'd her beft fervant would his courage try, 331
No lefs in wedlock, than in liberty.
Full many an age old Hymen had not spy'd
So kind a bridegroom, or so bright a bride.
Ye bards! renown'd among the tuneful throng
For gentle lays, and joyous nuptial song;

336

Think not your foftest numbers can display
The matchless glories of this blissful day;
The joys are fuch, as far transcend your rage,
When tender youth has wedded stooping age. 340
The beauteous dame fate fmiling at the board,
And darted am'rous glances at her Lord.

Not Hefter's felf, whofe charms the Hebrews fing,
E'er look'd fo lovely on her Persian King :
Bright as the rifing fun, in summer's day, 345
And fresh and blooming as the month of May !
The joyful Knight furvey'd her by his fide,
Nor envy'd Paris with the Spartan bride :
Still as his mind revolv'd with vast delight
Th' entrancing raptures of th' approaching night,
Restless he fate, invoking ev'ry pow'r

351

To speed his blifs, and hafte the happy hour. Mean time the vig'rous dancers beat the ground, And fongs were fung, and flowing bowls went round.

With od❜rous fpices they perfum'd the place, 355
And mirth and pleasure shone in ev'ry face.

Damian alone, of all the menial train,
Sad in the midst of triumphs, figh'd for pain;
Damian alone, the Knight's obfequious fquire,
Confum'd at heart, and fed a fecret fire.

360

His lovely mistress all his foul poffeft,

He look'd, he languish'd, and could take no reft
His task perform'd, he fadly went his way,
Fell on his bed, and loath'd the light of day.
There let him lie; till his relenting dame 365
Weep in her turn, and waste in equal flame.
The weary fun, as learned Poets write,
Forfook th' Horizon, and roll'd down the light;
While glitt'ring stars his absent beams supply,
And night's dark mantle overspread the sky. 370
Then rose the guests; and as the time requir'd,
Each paid his thanks, and decently retir'd.

The foe once gone, our Knight prepar'd t'un-
drefs,

So keen he was, and eager to poffefs:

But first thought fit th' affiftance to receive, 375 Which grave Phyficians fcruple not to give; Satyrion near, with hot Eringo's stood,

Cantharides, to fire the lazy blood,

Whofe ufe old Bards defcribe in luscious rhymes, And Critics learn'd explain to modern times. 380 By this the sheets were fpread, the bride undrefs'd,

The room was sprinkled, and the bed was bless'd. What next enfu'd befeems not me to say;

'Tis fung, he labour'd till the dawning day,

Then brifkly fprung from bed, with heart fo light, As all were nothing he had done by night; 386 And fipp'd his cordial as he fate upright. He kiss'd his balmy spouse with wanton play, And feebly fung a lufty roundelay: Then on the couch his weary limbs he caft; 390 For ev'ry labour must have rest at last.

395

But anxious cares the penfive Squire oppress'd, Sleep fled his eyes, and peace forfook his breast ;. The raging flames that in his bosom dwell, He wanted art to hide, and means to tell. Yet hoping time th' occafion might betray, Compos'd a fonnet to the lovely May; Which writ and folded with the nicest art, He wrapp'd in filk, and laid upon his heart. 399 When now the fourth revolving day was run, ('Twas June, and Cancer had receiv'd the Sun) Forth from her chamber came the beauteous bride, The good old Knight mov'd slowly by her fide. High mass was fung; they feasted in the hall; The fervants round stood ready at their call. 405 The Squire alone was abfent from the board, And much his fickness griev'd his worthy lord, Who pray'd his spouse, attended with her train, To vifit Damian, and divert his pain.

Th' obliging dames obey'd with one confent; 410
They left the hall, and to his lodging went.
The female tribe surround him as he lay,
And close beside him fat the gentle May :
Where, as she try'd his pulse, he foftly drew
A heaving figh, and cast a mournful view! 415
Then gave
his bill, and brib'd the pow'rs divine,
With fecret vows, to favour his defign.

Who studies now but discontented May?
On her foft couch uneafily fhe lay:

The lumpish husband fnor'd away the night, 420
Till coughs awak'd him near the morning light,
What then he did, I'll not prefume to tell,
Nor if the thought herself in heav'n or hell
Honeft and dull in nuptial bed they lay,
Till the bell toll'd, and all arofe to pray.

425

Were it by forceful destiny decreed, Or did from chance, or nature's pow'r proceed; Or that some star, with aspect kind to love, Shed its felecteft influence from above; Whatever was the caufe, the tender dame 439 Felt the first motions of an infant flame ; Receiv'd th' impreffions of the love-fick Squire, And wafted in the foft infectious fire. Ye fair, draw near, let May's example move Your gentle minds to pity those who love! 435