CHAP. III

Twas in the deadness of a Gloomy Night,
My Love, more pleasant than the wisht-for Light,
O're all my Bed I vainly sought; for there
My Arms could Grasp no more than empty air:
Griev'd with my Loss, through all the streets I rove,
And every Ear with soft Complaints I move:
Then to the Watch, Impatient, thus I Cry;
Tell me, O tell! Did not my Love pass by?
When loe, a Glimpse of my approaching Lord,
A Heaven of Joy did to my Soul afford:
So the dark Souls confin'd to endless Night,
Would smile, and wellcome-in a beam of Light.
I Claspt him, just as meeting Lovers wou'd,
That had the stings of Absence understood:
I held him fast, and Centring in his Breast,
My ravish'd Soul found her desired Rest.
Him to my Mothers House I did convey;
Humble it was, and yet he deign'd to stay.
And now I charge you, Virgins, not to make
The least disturbance, till my Love awake.

(Bridegroom.)

Glorious as Titan, from the Eastern Seas
A Beauty comes from yon dark Wilderness:
So Sacred Incense proudly rises up
In cloudy Pillars of perfumed smoak:
Compounded Spices of the greatest cost
Could ne'r such Aromatick sweetness boast.

(Bride.)

The Shining Courts of Princely Solomon
Were nobly crowded with a Warlike Train:
All Arm'd compleatly, all Expert in Fight,
To Guard him from the Terrors of the Night.
A Chariot Royal too himself he had;
Its Pillars of refined Silver made:
The Seats of Gold, fair Purple Clouds above;
And, all the bottom, softly pav'd with Love.
But loe, a Prince then Solomon, more great;
On whom vast T[r]oops of shining Angels wait:
His Crown more bright, and fixt, than that which shone
Upon the Nuptial brows of Solomon.