235

Virgins, close ye the door. Enough
This our carol. O happiest (225)
Lovers, jollity live with you.
Still that genial youth to love's
Consummation attend ye. 240

LXII.

YOUTHS.

Hesper is here; rise youths, rise all of you; high on Olympus
Hesper his orb long-look'd for aloft 'gins slowly to kindle.
Time is now to arise, from tables costly to part us;
Now doth a virgin approach, now soundeth a glad Hymenaeal.

Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus. 5

VIRGINS.

See ye yon youthful band? O, maidens, rise ye to meet them.
Comes not Night's bright bearer a fire o'er Oeta revealing?
Surely; for even now, in a moment all have arisen,
Not for nought have arisen; a song waits, goodly to gaze on.

Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus. 10

YOUTHS.

No light victory this, O comrades, ready before us.
Busy the virgins muse, their practis'd ditty recalling,
Muse nor shall miscarry; a song for memory waits us.
Rightly; for all their souls do inwards labour in issue.

We--our thoughts one way, our ears have drifted another, 15
So comes worthy defeat; no victory calls to the careless.
Come then, in even race let thought their melody rival;
They must open anon; 'twere better anon be replying.

Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.

VIRGINS.

Hesper, moveth in heaven a light more tyrannous ever? 20
Thou from a mother's arms canst wrest her daughter asunder,
Wrest from a mother's arms her daughter woefully clinging,
Then to the burning youth his virgin beauty deliver.
Foes in a new-sack'd town, when wrought they crueller ever?

Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus. 25

YOUTHS.

Hesper, shineth in heaven a light more genial ever?
Thou with a bridal flame true lovers' unity crownest,
All which duly the men, which plighted duly the parents,
Then completed alone, when thou in splendour awakest.
When shone an happier hour than thy god-speeded arriving? 30

Hymen O Hymenaeus, O Hymen come Hymenaeus.

VIRGINS.

Sisters, Hesper a fellow of our bright company taketh.
. . . . . .