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LXI.

EPITHALAMIUM ON VINIA AND MANLIUS.

1.

Of Helicon-hill, O Thou that be
Haunter, Urania's progeny,
Who hurriest soft virginity
To man, O Hymenaeus Hymen,
O Hymen Hymenaeus. 5

2.

About thy temples bind the bloom,
Of Marjoram flow'ret scented sweet;
Take flamey veil: glad hither come
Come hither borne by snow-hue'd feet
Wearing the saffron'd sock. 10

3.

And, roused by day of joyful cheer,
Carolling nuptial lays and chaunts
With voice as silver-ringing clear,
Beat ground with feet, while brandisht flaunts
Thy hand the piney torch. 15

4.

For Vinia comes by Manlius woo'd,
As Venus on th' Idalian crest,
Before the Phrygian judge she stood
And now with blessed omens blest,
The maid is here to wed. 20

5.

A maiden shining bright of blee,
As Myrtle branchlet Asia bred,
Which Hamadryad deity
As toy for joyance aye befed
With humour of the dew. 25

6.

Then hither come thou, hieing lief,
Awhile to leave th' Aonian cave,
Where 'neath the rocky Thespian cliff
Nymph Aganippe loves to lave
In cooly waves outpoured. 30

7.
And call the house-bride, homewards bring
Maid yearning for new married fere,
Her mind with fondness manacling,
As the tough ivy here and there
Errant the tree enwinds. 35

8.

And likewise ye, clean virginal
Maidens, to whom shall haps befall
Like day, in measure join ye all
Singing, O Hymenaeus Hymen,
O Hymen Hymenaeus. 40

9.

That with more will-full will a-hearing
The call to office due, he would
Turn footsteps hither, here appearing,
Guide to good Venus, and the good
Lover conjoining strait. 45

10.

What God than other Godheads more
Must love-sick wights for aid implore?
Whose Godhead foremost shall adore
Mankind? O Hymenaeus Hymen,
O Hymen Hymenaeus. 50

11.

Thee for his own the trembling sire
Invokes, thee Virgins ever sue
Who laps of zone to loose aspire,
And thee the bashful bridegrooms woo
With ears that long to hear. 55

12.

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