And love, as pure as Heav'ns conjunction. Thus she was his, and he her flesh and bone: So were they two to sight; in truth entirely one. XXV. Upon her arched brows, unarmed Love Triumphing sat in peaceful victory ; And in her eyes thousand chaste graces move, Her sky-like arms glitter'd in golden beams, And brightly seem'd to flame with burning hearts: A lovely pair, still coupled, ne'er alone? Her word, 'Though one when two, yet either two, or none." XXVII. With her, her sister went, a warlike Maid, Parthenia *, all in steel and gilded arms; The boldest champion she down would bear, Her goodly armour seem'd a garden green, Itself unto itself was only mate; Ever the same, but new in newer date : And underneath was writ Such is chaste single state.” XXIX. Thus hid in arms she seem'd a goodly knight, And fit for any warlike exercise : But when she list lay down her armour bright, Or let them waving hang, with roses fair beset. Choice nymph! the crown of chaste Diana's train, Thy fair's unpattern'd, all perfection stain : Upon her forehead Love his trophies fits, A thousand spoils in silver arch displaying : And in the midst himself full proudly sits, Himself in awful majesty arraying : Upon her brows lies his bent ebon bow, And ready shafts: deadly those weapons show; Yet sweet the death appear'd, lovely that deadly blow. XXXII. And at the foot of this celestial frame, Two radiant stars, than stars yet better being, Endu'd with living fire, and seeing flame; Yet with Heav'ns stars in this too near agreeing; They timely warmth, themselves not warm, inspire; These kindle thousand hearts with hot desire, And burning all they see, feel in themselves no fire. XXXIII. Ye matchless stars (yet each the other's match) Heav'ns richest diamonds, set in amel white With Love's and Death's strong shafts and from your sky, Pour down thick show'rs of darts to make whole armies fly ? XXXIV. Above those Suns, two rainbows high aspire, Yet thus more sweet the greedy eye they feast : A bed of lilies flow'r upon her cheek, And in the midst was set a circling rose; To deck his beauteous head in snowy 'tire; Her ruby lips lock up from gazing sight A troop of pearls, which march in goodly row: But when she deigns those precious bones undight, Soon heav'nly notes from those divisions flow, And with rare musick charm the ravish'd ears, Daunting bold thoughts, but cheering modest fears: The spheres so only sing, so only charm the spheres. XXXVII. Her dainty breasts, like to an April rose And fairly spread their silver circlets round : Yet all these stars which deck this beauteous sky As when a taper shines in glassy frame, The sparkling crystal burns in glitt'ring flame, So does that brightest love brighten this lovely dame. XXXIX. Thus, and much fairer, fair Parthenia Glist'ring in arms, herself presents to sight; A thousand Knights woo'd her with busy pain, They all their wit, and all their strength apply'd: Yet in her heart, Love close his sceptre sway'd, Which to a Heavenly Spouse her thoughts betray'd, Where she a maiden wife might live, and wifely maid. XLÍ. Upon her steps a virgin page attended, Fair Erythre*, whose often blushing face, So when clear ivory, vermeil fitly blots, XLII. Her golden hair, her silver forehead high, So sweetly modest was this bashful girl : But that sweet paradise, ah! could we see, On whose white mount lets daintier apple's be, Than those we bought so dear on Eden's tempting tree. -These noble Knights this threaten'd fort defend; That to this 'stressed state their service lend, For Hesperus Heav'ns tapers 'gins to light, * Modesty. |