Lawful only did e'er delight You, we know; but it is not, O (140) Husband, lawful as heretofore. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 150
Bride, thou also, if he demand Aught, refuse not, assent, obey. (145) Love can angrily pipe adieu. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 155
Look! thy mansion, a sovereign Home most goodly, by him to thee (150) Given. Reign as a queen within, Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 160
Still when hoary decrepitude, Shaking wintery brows benign, (155) Nods a tremulous Yes to all. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 165
With fair augury smite the blest Threshold, sunnily glistening (160) Feet: yon ivory door approach, Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 170
See one seated, a banqueter. 'Tis thy lord on a Tyrian (165) Couch: his spirit is all to thee. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 175
Not less surely in him than in Thee love lighteth a bosoming (170) Flame; but deeper, a fire within. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 180
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Thou, whose purple her arm, the slim Arm, props happily, boy, depart. (175) Time the bride be at entering. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 190
You in chastity tried the long Years, good women of agedest (180) Husbands, lay ye the bride to-night. Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, O Hymenaeus. 195
Husband, stay not: a bride within Coucheth ready, the flowering (185) Spring less lovely; a countenance White as parthenice, beyond Yellow poppy to gaze on. 200
Thou, so help me the favouring Gods immortal, as heavenly (190) Fair art also, adorned of Venus' bounty. The day declines. Come nor tarry to greet her. 205
Not too slothfully tarrying, Thou art here. Benediction of (195) Venus help thee, a man without Shame of blameless, a love that is Honest frankly revealing. 210
Dust of infinite Africa, Stars that sparkle, a myriad (200) Host, who measureth, your delights He shall tell them, ineffable, Multitudinous, over. 215
Make your happy delight, renew'd Soon in children. A glorious (205) Name and olden is ill without Children, unto the first a new Stock as goodly begetting. 220
Some Torquatus, a beauteous Babe, on motherly breasts to thee (210) Stretching, father, his innocent Hands, smile softly from inchoate Lips half-open a welcome. 225