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, Not thus Amphion tun'd the warbling lyre, train. 336 Think not your foftest numbers can display Not Hefter's felf, whofe charms the Hebrews fing, 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 Damian alone, of all the menial train, 360 His lovely mistress all his foul poffeft, He look'd, he languish'd, and could take no reft The foe once gone, our Knight prepar'd t'un- 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 Who studies now but discontented May? The lumpish husband fnor'd away the night, 420 425 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 |