Original - Duke Divinity School

So said, they rose, nor more the work delayed;
The Match was offered, the proposals made. …
Nor was it hard to move the Lady’s Mind:
When Fortune favours, still the Fair are kind. …
Ye Bards! renowned among the tuneful throng
For gentle Lays, and joyous nuptial Song,
Think not your softest Numbers can display
The matchless Glories of this blissful Day; …
The beauteous Dame sat smiling at the board,
And darted tender Glances at her Lord. …
The joyful Knight surveyed her by his Side,
Nor envied Paris with the Spartan Bride: …
Meantime the vigorous Dancers beat the ground,
And Songs were sung, and flowing Bowls went round;
With od’rous Spices they perfumed the Place,
And Mirth and Pleasure shone in every Face.
Damian alone, of all the menial Train,
Sad in the midst of Triumphs, sighed for Pain;
Damian alone, the Knight’s obsequious Squire,
Consumed at Heart, and fed a secret Fire. … 223
The weary Sun, as learned Poets write,
Forsook th’ Horizon, and rolled down the Light;
While glittering Stars his absent Beams supply,
And night’s dark Mantle overspread the Sky.
Then rose the Guests; and, as the time requir’d,
Each paid his thanks, and decently retir’d. … 224
But anxious Cares the pensive Squire opprest,
Sleep fled his Eyes, and peace forsook his breast;
The raging Flames that in his bosom dwell,
He wanted art to hide, and means to tell.
Yet hoping time th’ occasion might betray,
Compos’d a Sonnet to the lovely May; […]
When now the fourth revolving Day was run,
(’Twas June, and Cancer had received the Sun) […]
He softly gave, and bribed the Powers divine
With secret Vows, to favour his Design. […]
223Wesley omits:
His lovely Mistress all his Soul possess’d; / He look’d, he languish’d, and could take no Rest: …
224Wesley omits:
The Foe once gone, our Knight prepar’d t’undress, / So keen he was, and eager to possess:
But first thought fit th’ Assistance to receive, / Which grave Physicians scruple not to give:
Satyrion near, with hot Eringo’s, stood / Cantharides, to fire the lazy Blood; …
What next ensu’d, beseems not me to say; / ’Tis sung, he labour’d till the dawning Day …
Then on the Couch his weary Limbs he cast; / For ev’ry Labour must have Rest at last.
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