12

Shee disappeerd, and left me dark, I wakd

To find her, or for ever to deplore

Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure: [ 480 ]

When out of hope, behold her, not farr off,

Such as I saw her in my dream, adornd

With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow

To make her amiable: On she came,

Led by her Heavnly Maker, though unseen, [ 485 ]

And guided by his voice, nor uninformd

Of nuptial Sanctitie and marriage Rites:

Grace was in all her steps, Heavn in her Eye,

In every gesture dignitie and love.

I overjoyd could not forbear aloud. [ 490 ]

This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfilld

Thy words, Creator bounteous and benigne,

Giver of all things faire, but fairest this

Of all thy gifts, nor enviest. I now see

Bone of my Bone, Flesh of my Flesh, my Self [ 495 ]

Before me; Woman is her Name, of Man

Extracted; for this cause he shall forgoe

Father and Mother, and to his Wife adhere;

And they shall be one Flesh, one Heart, one Soule.

She heard me thus, and though divinely brought, [ 500 ]

Yet Innocence and Virgin Modestie,

Her vertue and the conscience of her worth,

That would be wood, and not unsought be won,

Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retird,

The more desirable, or to say all, [ 505 ]

Nature her self, though pure of sinful thought,

Wrought in her so, that seeing me, she turnd;

I followd her, she what was Honour knew,

And with obsequious Majestie approvd

My pleaded reason. To the Nuptial Bowre [ 510 ]

I led her blushing like the Morn: all Heavn,

And happie Constellations on that houre

Shed thir selectest influence; the Earth

Gave sign of gratulation, and each Hill;

Joyous the Birds; fresh Gales and gentle Aires [ 515 ]

Whisperd it to the Woods, and from thir wings

Flung Rose, flung Odours from the spicie Shrub,

Disporting, till the amorous Bird of Night

Sung Spousal, and bid haste the Eevning Starr

On his Hill top, to light the bridal Lamp. [ 520 ]