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النشر الإلكتروني

235

A mirror shows the figures moving by;
Still one by one, in swift succession, pass
The gliding shadows o'er the polished glass.
This lady's charms the nicest could not blame,
But vile suspicions had aspersed her fame;
That was with sense, but not with virtue, blessed;
And one had grace, that wanted all the rest. 241
Thus doubting long what nymph he should
obey,

He fixed at last upon the youthful May.

Her faults he knew not, Love is always blind,
But every charm revolved within his mind: 245
Her tender age, her form divinely fair,
Her easy motion, her attractive air,

Her sweet behaviour, her enchanting face,
Her moving softness, and majestic grace.

Much in his prudence did our knight re

joice,

250

And thought no mortal could dispute his choice: Once more in haste he summoned every friend, And told them all, their pains were at an end.

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Heaven, that (said he) inspired me first to

wed,

Provides a consort worthy of my bed:
Let none oppose the election, since on this
Depends my quiet, and my future bliss.

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"A dame there is, the darling of my eyes, Young, beauteous, artless, innocent, and wise: Chaste, though not rich; and, though not nobly

born,

260

Of honest parents, and may serve my turn. Her will I wed, if gracious Heaven so please; To pass my age in sanctity and ease:

And thank the powers, I may possess alone The lovely prize, and share my bliss with none ! If you, my friends, this virgin can procure, 266 My joys are full, my happiness is sure.

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"One only doubt remains: Full oft I've heard,

By casuists grave, and deep divines averred; That 'tis too much for human race to know 270 The bliss of Heaven above, and earth below. Now, should the nuptial pleasures prove so great,

To match the blessings of the future state, Those endless joys were ill exchanged for these : Then clear this doubt, and set my mind at

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Touched to the quick, and tickled at the soul. "Sir knight, (he cried,) if this be all you dread, Heaven put it past your doubt whene'er you

wed;

And to my fervent prayers so far consent, 280 That, ere the rites are o'er, you may repent! Good Heaven, no doubt, the nuptial state approves,

Since it chastises still what best it loves.

286

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"Then be not, sir, abandoned to despair; Seek, and perhaps you'll find among the fair, One that may do your business to a hair; Not even in wish your happiness delay, But prove the Scourge to lash you on your way: Then to the skies your mounting soul shall go, Swift as an arrow soaring from the bow! Provided still, you moderate your joy, Nor in your pleasures all your might employ; Let Reason's rule your strong desires abate, Nor please too lavishly your gentle mate. Old wives there are, of judgment most acute, Who solve these questions beyond all dispute; Consult with those, and be of better cheer: Marry, do penance, and dismiss your fear."

294

So said, they rose, nor more the work

delayed;

The match was offered, the proposals made. 300
The parents, you may think, would soon comply;
The old have interest ever in their eye.
Nor was it hard to move the lady's mind;
When Fortune favours, still the fair are kind.
I pass each previous settlement and deed, 305
Too long for me to write, or you to read;
Nor will with quaint impertinence display
The pomp, the pageantry, the proud array.
The time approached, to church the parties
went,

310

At once with carnal and devout intent:
Forth came the priest, and bade the obedient

wife

Like Sarah or Rebecca lead her life;

Then prayed the powers the fruitful bed to bless,

And made all sure enough with holiness.

And now the palace-gates are opened wide, The guests appear in order, side by side, And placed in state, the bridegroom and the

bride.

316

The breathing flute's soft notes are heard around,

And the shrill trumpets mix their silver sound; The vaulted roofs with echoing music ring, 320 These touch the vocal stops, and those the trembling string.

Not thus Amphion tuned the warbling lyre, Nor Joab the sounding clarion could inspire, Nor fierce Theodomas, whose sprightly strain Could swell the soul to rage, and fire the martial train. Bacchus himself, the nuptial feast to grace, (So poets sing), was present on the place:

325

And lovely Venus, goddess of delight,

Shook high her flaming torch in open sight, And danced around, and smiled on every

330

knight; Pleased her best servant would his courage try, No less in wedlock than in liberty.

336

Full many an age old Hymen had not spied
So kind a bridegroom, or so bright a bride.
Ye bards! renowned among the tuneful throng
For gentle lays, and joyous nuptial song,
Think not your softest numbers can display
The matchless glories of this blissful day:
The joys are such, as far transcend your rage,
When tender youth has wedded stooping

age.

340

The beauteous dame sat smiling at the board,
And darted amorous glances at her lord.
Not Hester's self, whose charms the Hebrews
sing,

E'er looked so lovely on her Persian king:
Bright as the rising sun, in summer's day, 345
And fresh and blooming as the month of May!
The joyful knight surveyed her by his side,
Nor envied Paris with the Spartan bride :
Still as his mind revolved with vast delight
The entrancing raptures of the approaching
night,

Restless he sat, invoking every power

350

To speed his bliss, and haste the happy hour. Mean time the vigorous dancers beat the ground,

And songs were sung, and flowing bowls went

round.

With odorous spices they perfumed the place, And mirth and pleasure shone in every face. 356 Damian alone, of all the menial train,

Sad in the midst of triumphs, sighed for pain;

360

Damian alone, the knight's obsequious squire,
Consumed at heart, and fed a secret fire.
His lovely mistress all his soul possessed,
He looked, he languished, and could take no

rest:

His task performed, he sadly went his way, Fell on his bed, and loathed the light of day. There let him lie; till his relenting dame Weep in her turn, and waste in equal flame.

365

The weary sun, as learned poets write, Forsook the horizon, and rolled down the light; While glittering stars his absent beams supply, And night's dark mantle overspread the sky. 370 Then rose the guests; and, as the time required,

Each paid his thanks, and decently retired. The foe once gone, our knight prepared to undress,

So keen he was, and eager to possess:

But first thought fit the assistance to receive 375 Which grave physicians scruple not to give ; Satyrion near, with hot eringos stood, Cantharides, to fire the lazy blood,

Whose use old bards describe in luscious rhymes,

And critics learned explain to modern times. 380 By this the sheets were spread, the bride un

dressed,

The room was sprinkled, and the bed was

blessed.

What next ensued beseems not me to say; 'Tis sung, he laboured till the dawning day, Then briskly sprung from bed with heart so

light,

385

As all were nothing he had done by night;
And sipped his cordial as he sat upright.
He kissed his balmy spouse with wanton play,

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