  Argument.
HELEN's Epithalamion.I N Sparta, long ago, where Menelaus wore the crown, Twelve noble Virgins, daughters to the greatest in the town, All dight upon their hair in crowtoe [hyacinth] garlands fresh and green, Danced at the chamber door of Helena the Queen: What time this Menelaus, the younger son of Atreus, Did marry with this lovely daughter of Prince Tyndarus; And therewithal, at eve, a Wedding Song they jointly sang, With such a shuffling of their feet that all the palace rang. "Fair Bridegroom, do you sleep? Hath slumber all your limbs } possesst? { What, are you drowsy? or hath wine your body so oppresst{ That you are gone to bed? For if you needs would take your rest,{ You should have ta'en a season meet. Mean time, till it be day Suffer the Bride with us, and with her mother dear, to play! For, Menelaus, She, at evening and at morning tide. From day to day, and year to year, shall be thy loving Bride. "O happy Bridegroom, sure some honest man did sneeze to thee, When thou to Sparta came, to meet with such a one as She! } Among the demi-gods thou only art accounted meet{ To be the Son-in-law to Jove! for underneath one sheet{ His daughter lies with thee! Of all that tread on ground with feet{ There is not such a one in Greece! Now sure some goodly thing She will thee bear; if it be like the mother that she bring. For we, her peers in age, whose course of life is e'en the same; Who, at Eurotas' streams, like men, are oilÈd to the game: And four times sixty Maids, of all the women youth we are; Of these none wants a fault, if her with Helen we compare. Like as the rising morn shews a grateful lightening, When sacred night is past; and Winter now lets loose the Spring: So glittering Helen shined among her Maids, lusty and tall. As is the furrow in a field that far outstretcheth all; Or in a garden is a cypress tree; or in a trace, A steed of Thessaly; so She to Sparta was a grace. No damsel with such works as She, her baskets used to fill; Nor in a divers coloured web, a woof of greater skill Doth cut off from the loom; nor any hath such Songs and Lays Unto her dainty harp, in Dian's and Minerva's praise, As Helen hath: in whose bright eyes all Loves and Graces be. "O fair, O lovely Maid! a Matron is now made of thee! But we will, every Spring, unto the leaves in meadow go To gather garlands sweet; and there, not with a little woe, Will often think of thee, O Helen! as the suckling lambs Desire the strouting bags and presence of their tender dams. We all betimes for thee, a wreath of melitoe will knit; And on a shady plane for thee will safely fasten it. And all betimes for thee, under a shady plane below, Out of a silver box the sweetest ointment will bestow. And letters shall be written in the bark that men may see, And read, DO HUMBLE REVERENCE, FOR I AM HELEN'S TREE! "Sweet Bride, good night! and thou, O happy Bridegroom, now good night! Latona send your happy issue! who is most of might In helping youth; and blissful Venus send you equal love Betwixt you both! and Jove give lasting riches from above, Which from your noble selves, unto your noble imps may fall! Sleep on, and breathe into your breasts desires mutual! But in the morning, wake! Forget it not in any wise! And we will then return; as soon as any one shall rise And in the chamber stir, and first of all lift up the head! Hymen! O Hymen! now be gladsome at this marriage bed!" Emblem. Usque adeo latet utilitas. |
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