Part 14 (1/2)

Thou to the hand of love-fierce swain Deliverest maiden fair and fain, From mother's fondling bosom ta'en Perforce, O Hymenaeus Hymen O Hymen Hymenaeus. 60

13.

Thou lacking, Venus ne'er avails-- While Fame approves for honesty-- Love-joys to lavish: ne'er she fails Thou willing:--with such Deity Whoe'er shall dare compare? 65

14.

Thou wanting, never son and heir The Hearth can bear, nor parents be By issue girt, yet can it bear, Thou willing:--with such Deity, Whoe'er shall dare compare? 70

15.

An lack a land thy sacring rite, The perfect rule we ne'er shall see Reach Earth's far bourne; yet such we sight, Thou willing:--with such Deity Whoe'er shall dare compare? 75

16.

Your folds ye gateways wide-ope swing!

The maiden comes. Seest not the sheen Of links their splendent tresses fling?

Let shame r.e.t.a.r.d the modest mien.

17.

Who more she hears us weeps the more, 80 That needs she must advance. 81

18.

Cease raining tear-drops! not for thee, (86) Aurunculeia, risk we deem, That fairer femininety Clear day outdawned from Ocean stream 85 Shall ever more behold. (90)

19.

Such in the many-tinted bower Of rich man's garden pa.s.sing gay Upstands the hyacinthine flower.

But thou delayest, wanes the day: 90 _Prithee, come forth new Bride._

20.

Prithee, come forth new Bride! methinks, Drawing in sight, the talk we hold Thou haply hearest. See the Links!

How shake their locks begilt with gold: 95 Prithee, new Bride come forth.

21.

Not lightly given thy mate to ill Joys and adulterous delights Foul fleshly pleasures seeking still Shall ever choose he lie o' nights 100 Far from thy tender paps.

22.

But as with pliant shoots the vine Round nearest tree-trunk winds her way, He shall be ever twined in thine Embraces:--yet, lo! wanes the day: 105 Prithee, come forth new Bride!

23.

Couchlet which to me and all * * * *