Wake from thy nest, Robin-red-breast, Give my fair Love good-morrow! T. HEYWOOD. 15 20 53 PROTHALAMION Calm was the day, and through the trembling ai Sweet-breathing Zephyrus did softly play— ! A gentle spirit, that lightly did delay Hot Titan's beams, which then did glister fair ; Through discontent of my long fruitless stay Like empty shadows, did afflict my brain) Along the shore of silver-streaming Thames; Against the bridal day, which is not long : There in a meadow by the river's side 10 15 20 And each one had a little wicker basket 25 In which they gather'd flowers to fill their flasket, Of every sort which in that meadow grew With store of vermeil roses, To deck their bridegrooms' posies Against the bridal day, which was not long : e snow which doth the top of Pindus strow r Jove himself, when he a swan would be Yet not so white as these, nor nothing near ; 35 40 44 That even the gentle stream, the which them bare, And mar their beauties bright, Against their bridal day, which was not long : 50 56 Eftsoons the nymphs, which now had flowers their fill, Them seem'd they never saw a sight so fair 60 Which through the sky draw Venus' silver team; For sure they did not seem To be begot of any earthly seed, But rather angels, or of angels' breed ; 65 Yet were they bred of summer's heat, they say, In sweetest season, when each flower and weed The earth did fresh array; So fresh they seem'd as day, Even as their bridal day, which was not long : Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. Then forth they all out of their baskets drew 70 Great store of flowers, the honour of the field, That to the sense did fragrant odours yield, 75 All which upon those goodly birds they threw And all the waves did strew, That like old Peneus' waters they did seem When down along by pleasant Tempe's shore Scatter'd with flowers, through Thessaly they stream, 80 That they appear, through lilies' plenteous store, Like a bride's chamber-floor. 85 Two of those nymphs meanwhile two garlands bound Against their bridal day, which was not long : And let fair Venus, that is queen of love, With her heart-quelling son upon you smile, Whose smile, they say, hath virtue to remove All love's dislike, and friendship's faulty guile For ever to assoil. 95 100 Let endless peace your steadfast hearts accord, And blessed plenty wait upon your board; And let your bed with pleasures chaste abound, That fruitful issue may to you afford Which may your foes confound, 105 Upon your bridal day, which is not long : So forth those joyous birds did pass along And all the fowl which in his flood did dwell And their best service lend Against their wedding day, which was not long : Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. At length they all to merry London came, To merry London, my most kindly nurse, That to me gave this life's first native source, Though from another place I take my name, 110 114 120 124 130 An house of ancient fame : Till they decay'd through pride; 135 Of that great lord, which therein wont to dwell, Whose want too well now feels my friendless case; But ah! here fits not well Old woes, but joys, to tell Against the bridal day, which is not long : Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. Yet therein now doth lodge a noble peer, 141 145 Great England's glory and the world's wide wonder, Whose dreadful name late through all Spain did thunder, And Hercules' two pillars standing near Did make to quake and fear: Fair branch of honour, flower of chivalry! That fillest England with thy triumphs' fame, Joy have thou of thy noble victory, And endless happiness of thine own name That promiseth the same; 150 That through thy prowess and victorious arms 155 Thy country may be freed from foreign harms, And great Eliza's glorious name may ring Through all the world, fill'd with thy wide alarms, Which some brave Muse may sing To ages following, Upon the bridal day, which is not long : Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. From those high towers this noble lord issúing With a great train ensuing. Above the rest were goodly to be seen Two gentle knights of lovely face and feature, Beseeming well the bower of any queen, With gifts of wit and ornaments of nature, Fit for so goodly stature, That like the twins of Jove they seem'd in sight Which deck the baldric of the Heavens bright ; 160 1.65 170 |