See it neuer takes her eare Angells though you play and sing Till the Ayre with Eccho ring Though t' is sweet and rare yet she Is so farre from thanking yee As sh' admirs how you can do Any thing but hearken to Those his hony-flowing Words Which into her Eare affoards Sounds more sweet more pleasing farre Then your Quiers or Consorts are 5. Why d' ye lauish and consume So much rich and choyce perfume She alone might well suffice For to sweeten all the skyes With those sighs which she doth spend Without measure without end Griefe before I euer knew Ioy could weepe as well as you Swoune and suffer all speach bar'd But such sigh's I neuer heard Soft I see therin doth lye Yet some deeper mystery 6. Marke her she doth vse to frame Of her breath her Louers Name Tasting which her mouth receaues All the gust that hony leaues Oh Repast deuine and rare By that Food we nourisht ' are Which we take and in receaue She by that which she doth leaue Yet th' effect is far more strange Foode in vs to Earth doth change Hers in Him to Heauen so breath Wisely hath beguiled death 7. But some Epicure will say She consumes herselfe this way Not supplying Natures needs But doth languish as she feeds Peace thou Earthly mynd thy food Changeth first to flesh and bloud Sicknes doth thereon awayt That brings death her dyet straight Turnes to life and better spirit Fills her full with glorious Merit Doth her soule at last commend Vnto Life can neuer end 8. Now when she doth list to drinke Oh what humane thought can thinke On the sweetnes which she tasts Whilst her draught delicious lasts Yet deare soule how ere you fayne I do see it brings you payne Whilst you drinke out of a wound Not alone for Loue you sound Bee 't in feet in hands or side In conceipt it opens wide Euen as deepe a wound in you As those pretious ones you view 9. Drinke not thirsty soule so deepe Temp'rance bids a measure keepe Scandall doth arise from such Who vnwary drinke too much She all counsayle doth despise Stops her Eares and firmes her Eyes Euery daught begets a thirst Hoat and fiercer then the first O how great the daunger is Least some harme do follow this And now see She leanes her head In her Louers armes as dead 10. Angells beare her forth I feare Much the cause she 's stifled here Ther 's no doubt her health's impayre May be help't with better ayre But himselfe alone sustaynes All the burthen all the paynes Thinking nothing throughly done ' Lesse his Blessed selfe be one Rubbe her Temples bow her head Beare her to the Mariage Bed Feare not she 'le reuiue anone When her Extasy is gone The Allegory IN all this Feast is nothing els to be vnderstood then only the tender and pious affections which are incited and stired vp in high Contemplatiue Soules by the receauing of the B. Sacrament as namely their Deuout Colloquies seasoned in tears mixt with sighes to giue the more delicate tast relish to theyr high-fed Soules and also the strict watch they keep on theyr Attentions to barre the entrance of any thoughts may bring distraction with them By her swoning is signifyed the sweet force of the Diuine Loue which as if it had changed dartes with Death doth oftentimes leaue the Bodies vnto the Graue by enticing from them the Soules vnto the loyes of Heauen Lastly by the Angells Care and Bridgroomes diligence in bearing of her forth out of that close Chamber where she was the world into Heauen her Bridall Chamber is shewen that God is neuer wanting to assist them at theyr Deaths whose Vertues whilst they liue on Earth do labour a sure and perfect Friendship betwixt them and Heauen The fifth Canto ARGVMENT The Chamber of the Bride Her ' maze it's stayres Theyr Ioy the rest the Angells song declares 1. NOW they vp a wondrous stayre Farre aboue all noysome ayre T'wards her chamber beare the Bride When not able to abide Such a brightnesse such a height Leaden Death with his owne weight Fell to ground from of her eyes In a graue where now he lyes Then they straight vnclos'd and gaz'd At her being so amaz'd As t w'as long ere she could giue Her selfe credit she did liue 2. And who could refuse to wonder For to see Earth lye vnder Such vnmeasur'd way below As t' was almost lost to shew For to see the waters stand Like a wall about the Land And without so surely fenc't With the moyster ayre condens't For to see the humble fyer Neyther burne nor mount vp higher None of these but might amaze One who far more bouldnes ha's 3. Yet this wonder did not last For her eye aside she cast And in it lost all her feare When she saw her Bridgroome there That which made her wonder cease May perhaps make ours increase She of all strange things that were By one glaunce on him more cleere Did the hidden Causes see Then within a Mirrour we Our owne faces when we looke Studying most that flat'ring booke 4. So all Wonder turn'd to Loue Loue in her a Heauen did proue Heauen as they did go was there Heauen they came to eu'ry where Heauen within her and without Heauen aboue and round about Heauen is in her Eyes and Eares Nothing now but Heauen appeares In ech sense in euery part In her mouth her louing heart And these Heauens are all alone In her Bridgroome ioyn'd in one 5. She without all payne doth goe That vn'wares she left below On the vnder floore of clay Whilst in deadly trance she lay For some faynt and worldly mind Dares not higher go to find And they now arriued are On the highest Christall stayre Ioyning to a porche of gould Eyes did ne're the like behould That directly in doth guide To the Chamber of the Bride 6. See the dores do open stand And the Bridgroome by the hand Whilst the Saints his prayses sing His fayre crowned Spouse leads in All the Soules that heauen had euer There stand ready to receaue her For her glory euery one Far more glad then for theyr owne Yet ther 's none hath more exprest Of a glad and ioyfull breast Nor of Loue more pledges giuen Then the sacred Queene of Heauen 7. Those whose Ioyes are at the height Thinke th' are happyer in her sight And who know th' are loued most Such a Riuall soonest boast They so hast her in to beare As our Night begins I feare And those Glory 's which we see Too to soone will vanish't be Darknesse winnes vpon the skies Now they lessen in our eyes To a Starre which was a Sunne Now a sparke and now th' are gone 8. What a darke and vgly sight After so much Glorious Light This blacke Clod of Earth Appeares But what Musicke strikes our Eares Sure t' is that the Angells make For the Bride and Bridgroomes sake Which whilst Eccho
eyes and take in flame Keep your blushes hide your shame It becomes those Virgins most Who the ardent'st loue can boast Vnto him who all loue merits And all Virgins loue inherits Feare not ioyne you by his side And with vs go see the Bride The Allegory IN the great Procession of the Celestiall Court is vnderstood the Generall Ioye of all the Saints in Heauē when any one on Earth is foūd worthy to receaue theyr maker in the most B. Sacrament The Bridegroomes attyre is purple for to signify that ioyntly with the Ioy of the receauing him we are to call to mynd the bitternes of his passion That it is adorn'd with starres is to shew that the reward of sufferance on Earth is Glory in Heauen Phosphorus or the morning starre on his Garment before declares that his presence in comming brings light vnto our soules and that we should take his Grace betimes when it first appeares since when it is once past we may expect it's returne but cannot call it backe The Second Canto ARGVMENT The Brides Attyre Her meeting with her Louer The guifts he giues The ioy she doth discouer 1. THAT is she who kneeling there Seemes to haue no hope nor feare Out of heauen wherin her eyes Fix't as if the cleerer skyes Were her mirrour seeke to find Graces fitting to her mynd Her hands foulded ech in one As if only they alone Earth not owing any such Did deserue ech others touch Beg of Heau'n by ardent pray'r Her deare louers quicke repayre 2. She no other Iewell wears Then her owne congealed tears Which on simple Goodnes set Make a pretious Carcanet Her attyre is strange to gold And as farre from rich as old Which receaues no other staynes Then it 's natiue but remaynes White as is the Sheep that bears it Pure as is the Soule that wears it Sandalls do conceale her feet On her head are Flowers sweet 3. Beauty there whoeuer seeks Sits inthron'd vpon her cheeks In a colour red as Roses Or when first the morne discloses White as mountayns when it snows Or the yielding downe that grows On the breasts of Swans and Doues Spread with hayre that when it moues Casts amazment on our sight T' is so excellently bright One may seeke the world to find Such a forme with such a mynd 4. Now the Bridall pompe draw's neere And the noyse hath reach't her Eare Eares her Heart informe of all Heart leapes vp and Loue doth call Loue sends Curiosity Vp in hast vnto the Eye Eyes looke out and Ioy appeares Poore Ioy almost drown'd in teares Running to the heart in hast Sowing rumours as he past Puts her in Alarum so Where she is she doth not know 5. Her swift eyes that highly moue Mounted on the wings of Loue Or'looke all but no where bide Till theyr prey they haue espyed When she enuying of her eyes Straight to his imbraces flyes Where she now remayns intwin'd Hands in hands as hearts are ioyn'd Sugred words with sighings mixt Eyes vpon his beauty fixt All her loue and ioy declare For to see her Bridegroome there 6. Vnto some it strange may be That so great a King as he Would so farre from State descend To make choyce of such a frend Who her birth can neyther boast Nor what takes our liking most Doth in richer cloathing go To affect the outward show Beauty without wealth some few Yet can be content to view But if Vertue want them eyther She 's prefer'd by none to neyther 7. Let such know her Innocence He esteemes full competence For to match the highest State As was euer enuyed at Others though th' are poore respects Which her noble mynd neglects And disdaynes to Court yet He Of meere loue and care that She May not suffer disesteeme In those wants the world doth deeme So essentiall for her Honour Will bestow them all vpon her 8. And with Riches which is first After our accompt though worst He in such a sort indews her As it takes who euer views her With a iust esteeme and wonder How much earthly wealth comes vnder She herselfe is all a Mine And in euery act doth shine So much true and perfect wealth As euen Auarice it 's selfe Such a Treasure to behould Would despise it's baser gould 9. This the Priuiledge hath giuen To en-title her to Heauen Co-heyre with those Blessed sprit's Who are drown'd with all delights In that Sea of ioy blisse Where no end no measure is This is True Nobility This is that with cannot dy This is it which doth not clayme Others Worth to guild it's shame But it selfe it 's selfe commends Vnto Honour Fame and Frends 10. Now the heauenly Quires do presse To bestow theyr Kisse of Peace On this happy Soule they see In such heyght of Dignity Now the Bridegroome doth conduct her Whilst his Mother doth instruct her To the Temple as behou's To confirme theyr Blessed loues By the wishes wayted on Of all present ioyn'd in one That no cause be giuen euer This theyr Heauenly match to seuer The Allegory IN the Prayer of the Bride is to be noted that we should be as carefull in regard of Gods greatnes to receaue him worthily as desirous in respect of our owne wants to receaue him often By the playnnes and simplicity of the Brides attyre is signifyed that innocency purity which is required in those soules whome he doth please to visit with his gratious presence The Iewell of her Teares doth shew that Sorrow for our offences by which we should duly prepare our selues vnto the receauing of him Her Sandalls the Humility and Flowers the gratefull odour of our workes and merits What is sayd of Beauty both heere or in any other place is meant and to be vnderstood only of the Soule whose inuisible Fayrenes can no ways be rendred perceptible to sense but by Examples of visible Excellency That she hath not any riches of her owne but what are bestow'd vpon her by the Bridgroome doth shew that God giues not Vertue to any in respect of wealth but wealth oftentimes in regard of theyr Vertue and that we are not further to care for them then it is his pleasure we should inioy them The third Canto ARGVMENT The Marriage in the Church The Rites expres't Her Reuerence and Inuiting him her guest 1. NOW with due becomming state They haue entred all the Gate Of the Temple arch't with gould Rich and shining to behould Rew'd with Iaspar pillars set On fayre bases all of Iet Marble which the sight doth vary On the pauement as in Quarry All one piece doth seeme to be It was ioyn'd so curiously With cleare lights the Iles are taper'd With perfumes the Vaults are vapour'd 2. They not farre had led the Bride When before her she espyed A fayre Picture did of right Challenge euery Virgin-sight T wa's the Kingdome of the Blessed By so liuely skill expressed As it made her nigher draw Thinking all was true she
brings to ground Trauayle doth enrich the sound Let vs hearken what they say Somewhat may be learn't this way Hearing that we cannot see Is of Ioy the next degree HIEROTHALAMIVM I. SING Io Hymen chastest Hymen all And with loude voyce the Brides great Ioyes repeate So Eccho tost as not a word let fall May make them seem lesse soūding then th' are great But in this heyght th' are at May they for euer be That euen the Saints when as they see And haue her Blessings knowne May thinke ther 's somwhat wāting of theyr owne Yet Ioy with her and wish her more beside And ioyne with vs in hon'ring of the Bride II. Now world farwell she thinks on thee no more Or if she doth it is but to compare With much disdayne thy wants with her great store Thy course◠feeding with her daynty fare Thy mynds perpetuall care With her Soules lasting peace Thy Barrennes with her Increase Thy want of sense to choose Such things for wealth which her doth them refuse Make only rich Thy thousand woes beside With the perpetuall blessings of the Bride III. You need not boast your Issue nor be glad T' is but a wreched shift that Nature finds For to repayre the Spoyles that Death hath made The Sower of all Cares in Parēts mynds Which she who well declines Doth soone find what a blest And happy change sh 'as made by rest She feels with in her soule When no vnquiet thought doth there controule Or vrge those Cares which Ease doth not abide Happy are such thrice happy is the Bride IIII. It is theyr Ioy who grieue that they are old To haue some Issue they may leaue behind And in theyr sight theyr passed youths behold Ioy is but Ease of Griefe in humane kind Who want's doth seeke to find Who hunger's food doth loue But happy soules who are aboue The need and lacke of these Heere are delights which neuer know decrease Heere youth is lasting life doth euer bide Ioy wayt's on it They all vpon the Bride V. No Ielou'sy her quiet heart molest's No feare of too vntimely losse of life No heauy care that presseth maryed breasts No cause of grudging or contentious strife The woe of man wife No Lothing but the same Fyer which now burnes with holy flame To light theyr Loues to day Will euer last neuer can decay For he hath chose who cānot chāge abide To haue her euer for his Spouse and Bride The Allegory or Conclusion TOVCHING the Allegory in this last Canto little is to be sayd The Stayres by which the Bride was borne vp vnto her Bridall Chamber do allude vnto the Elements and Planets which according to the Astrologers do fill vp by their orderly distances the space betwixt Heauen and Earth wherin I make the Caeum Cristallinum following the Generall opinion the highest steppe of this stayre and next adioyning to the Caelum Empyreum or habitation of the Blessed ¶ It may to some perhaps seeme some want of good manners in Art to bring the Bride only to the Entrance of her Bridall Chamber and there abruptly to leaue her follow her no further But if the Paynter Timant was thought worthy of prayse for paynting Agamemnon present when his daughter Iphigenia was to be sacrificed with his face couered signifying that his Griefe was greater then could be seene in his countenance I see no reason why I should be blamed for passing those Ioyes in silence which are greater then can be comprehended by humayne sense or Imagination Besides that breuity which I haue studyed from the beginning loath now to loose it's Palme at the later end did hasten me away from more prolixity by affoarding me this reason That it was euery way auaylable vnto this worke and me that those who were delighted with it should be sory it is so short and those who were not should be glad it is no longer FINIS * Kyrie eleison * Gloria in excelsis a Sanctus b Dominus Deus c Eleuatiō d Agnus dei e Domine on sum dinus f Communion