Hierothelamium. Or, The heauenly nuptialls of our blessed Sauiour vvith a pious soule. Written by Richard Flecknoe.

HIEROTHALAMIVM . OR , THE HEAVENLY Nuptialls of our Blessed Sauiour , with a pious Soule .

WRITTEN By Richard Flecknoe .

Omne tulit punctum , qui miscuit vtile dulci. — Horat.

Anno M.DC.XXVI .

TO THE GREAT EXAMPLE of Vertue and Nobility , the Lady Katherine Abergauenny .

MADAME , THIS small POEME , ( a late Birth of myne , and so meanly clad , as poore Art it selfe is euen asham'd of it ) I should scarce haue ventured to present vnto your Ladishippe , had I not more then hop't , that the Excellency of the Subiect , would ( in your iust Esteeme ) haue kept at least in equall Ballance , my wants in writing it .

I am to professe ( Madame ) so many extraordinary fauours , by which your vnwearyed Goodnes hath euer pleas'd ( aboue my deserts ) to honour me , as I am forc't to seeke out some more then ordinary way , to shew my selfe in Will , theyr gratefull debtour , in Ability I cannot hope . Therefore Madame , remayning still your debtour in the Principall , all I am able , and intend to do , is to call as many others as I can , into the Interest of the Debt with me ; by letting all know ( who from the reading of this little Worke , may receaue eyther Profit or Delight , that they owe it wholly to your Ladyship .

By this means perceauing , that I was like to draw your Name , as Party , into the Reputation of this Worke , I thought it would best become my Care , as it did my Duty , ( who otherwise as you will see , haue affected nothing in the writing it ) so to prouide , as none might receaue offence , or harme by reading it . Of which happines ( though somewhat rare in these Tymes , and more in such Workes ) being secure in its Innocency , and my Well-Meaning it , it dares with the more Confidence , and cheerfulnes approach vnto your Ladyshippe , to leaue in your fayre Hands , a perpetuall testimony of his Respect , and Duty , whome your Great Vertues , & many Deserts haue wonne to be

Theyr euer Seruant , & Faithfull Honourer . Rich. Flecknoe .

The First Canto . ARGVMENT . The Bridegroomes State , And grace , in setting forth , His Courtiers order , And his Mothers worth . 1. MID-night silence , all be dumbe , Rise , & see the Bridgroome come . But beware that none come neare , Only those , whose breasts are cleare From all crime , or sinne , so foule , That may wound , or kill the soule . These are Mysteries , and Rites To be seene by chaster Sights , To be mark't , and vnderstood Only by the pure , and good , Vertue , ( as t' is most agreeing ) Only's fit for Vertu 's seeing . 2. Looke , the Heauens transparent gate Open's wide , and out there at First a flight of Angells come , Some do play , and other some With the flickr'ing of theyr wings Keep the time , whilst others sings . Others strew the way with flowr's Gather'd fresh from Eden's bowr's Such for sight , & curious smell , As they knew would most excell , All in gen'rall , Ioy do share , To themselues , peculiar care . 3. Those the Ancient Prophet's were , who that wondrous Banner beare , Whose true Colour none can know : They appeare the lesse in show , 'Cause about theyr heads there flyes , Such a cloud of Mysteries , As vnto our Sense they leaue Scarcely ought we may perceaue . But those soul 's to whome ti 's giuen For to know them all in Heauen , There are few , or none , do say , Make a fayrer shew then they . 4. Those more open to our sight , Next in ranke , with Garments bright , Whose deare Pouerty doth waue , In that Ensigne which they haue , ( Glose of which will neuer fade Though in water-colours layd , ) Were Apostles . Those are they Who from fishing in the Sea , Came to take more soul's on Land Then the shoars haue graynes of sand , With no other Netts , or Hookes Then theyr Tongues , and holy Bookes . 5. Those who fayre Vermilion beare With greene Laurell , Martyrs were , Marke how through their shining red , Bee 't in body , heart , or head , All the Wounds were giu'n them heere , Brighter then the Sunne appeere . Soares , are chang'd to pretious Gemmes , Grieuous stripes , to glorious beames , Drops of bloud , to Rubyes red , Scarres , to Crownes vpon theyr head , Teares , to Pearles , and euery payne Hath it's proper Ioy , and gayne . 6. Those whose Colours fayrely spred Shew pure white , bestreak't with red , Were Confessours , such as heere Arm'd by Vertue agaynst Feare , Durst confesse theyr Fayth , in time When t' was thought the greatest crime , These are they , who did reduce Thousand soules , from sinnes abuse : Who Hells gates ( in manner ) brake With the force of Truth they spake : For the which theyr tongues now shine . ( As you see ) with light diuine . 7. Those that next do take your eye , Are the Glory 's of the sky , Whose white Streamers do declare , That they euer Virgins were . In whose sight , is vnderstood All that 's perfect , rare , and good . Look's as simple , as the Doues , Fayre , as twenty thousand Loues , Sweeter , then the breath of May , Fresher , then the new borne Day , With theyr Vertue yet , compare All these parts , they nothing are . 8. But in mid'st of these doth come Graces , and Perfections summe . Queen of Heauen , & Mother deare To the Glorious Bridegroome there , As the Rose , the Three-leau'd grasse Both for sweet , & fayre , doth passe , As the Day out-shines the Nights , As the Moone the lesser lights : Blessed She , so farre , and more , Passes all that went before . At whose prayse no Angells tounge Offer's , but it must do wrong . 9. But now marke , how all thing cheers , When the Bridgroome first appeers ; How his Face doth glory's flame . Know you whence theyr brightnes came ? In cold mornings we perceaue Words , behind a mist to leaue : So ech word , which He doth say , Turn's into a sunne-shine ray : Which besid's we may presume , Vapours all this rare perfume , That doth make the gentle ayre Amber-sweet , as Ro-sy fayre . 10. Purple is his marriage weed , Which the star's , do thicker seed Then a frosty winters night , When the Moone shines fayre & bright . Phosphorus like a pretious stone , ●ast before , doth keep it on , And behind it loosly flow's , Proud at euery step he go's For to kisse his Blessed feet ; Whence it doth returne more sweet , ●hen the flowers which May conceyu's ●om the ayre that Zeph'rus breaths . 11. That tongue were of God-like worth Which could euery grace set forth , And whoeuer pen them will , Doth deserue an Angells quill , And for Inke , were only good , Virgins teares , and Martyrs bloud , Mixt with sinners contrite galls , For theyr much repented falls , Written on the Milky Way ; All we write , and all we say , All we comprehend by sence , Reacheth not his Excellence . 12. Virgins hence , and close your eyes , Least his Loue your myndes surprise : Th' are to tender , He to fayre , Euery Looke will be a snare , For to take the waryest heart : Therfore go , in time depart . Y 'aue inough already spyed , To be enuious of the Bride . Yet stay , wretch what haue I done ? T' is his will that all should come . Stay , harke , He himselfe doth call , He hath Loue inough for all . 13. Neyther feare her Iealousy , She doth loue , as well as he , That you freely looke vpon him . Till y' ar all enamour'd on him , Feed your 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 Heauen , when any one on Earth is found 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 saw ; And deceau'd , with listning eare , To assay , if she could heare Musicke , which the Angells made , Whilst they sung , and whilst they play'd . 3. T wa's an Omen lik't her well , Wherfore she did longer dwell On the sight therof , and tooke More delight from euery looke . There she saw the Virgin Quires , Shining bright with Holy-fyers , Following of the Lambe along , Seeming for to sing a song , Which ( a Scedule there did say ) None in Heauen could sing but they . Much she had conceyu'd before , But , this sight did adde much more , 4. Longer she would fayne haue stayd , But her stay , she was affrayd Might to some seeme to discouer A neglecting of her Louer . And ( who knows ) perhaps , withall Some her indiscreet might call , Who in fay'nd things could delight , Whilst the true on 's were in sight . Therfore wisely she went on , Though resolu'd , when she was gone , Deepe in heart away to beare All imprest , she had seen there . 5. Now they nigh the Altar come , And in order fill the roome , All prepare to be imply'd ; Virgins to attend the Bride , Priests to Celebrate the Rites , Angells to assist with Lights , Musicke , and Perfume : ther 's none Whose imployment is not knowne ; Euery one doth take some care , And if any Idle were , They with wishes do assist The Bride , the Bridgroome , and the Priest . 6. T w'as to all the Saints a sight , Did beget them much delight , To obserue the trembling Bride , Kneeling by her Louers side , How her well composed eye Neuer cast a looke awry , For to catch at Thoughts , which might Bring distraction with the sight : But did reu'rently regard All she saw , and all she heard , Whilst the Priest set all things forth , With state , equall to theyr worth . 7. Though she wish't the time were come . That might ioyne them both in one , And ( to thinke too long ) had cause Euery little stay , or pause : Yet as euery Rite did passe , So attent , and glad she was , As if ech , the reason were Only of her comming there . When to Heau'n for * * Kyrie eleison . help they call , She her voyce doth ioyne with all . To the like her mynd they moue When they glorify * * Gloria in excelsis her Loue . 8. When they a a Sanctus ▪ Holy do proclayme him She with much delight b b Dominus Deus . doth name him . When they c c Eleuation . shew him vnto all , There is none doth lower fall , With more humblenes before him , For to reuerence , and adore him . When they call to mynd d d Agnus dei . his Crosse Who can more resent his losse ? When they do professe , e e Domine on sum dinus . ther 's none Worthy of him , She alone Thinks ther 's none , her eyes can see But is worthier farre then she . 9. But at last when she 's inuited By due prayers , and Tapers lighted , To draw neare , and take f f Communion . her Louer , O what Ioye doth she discouer ? Teares her eyes had ouerflow'd Sighs burst forth , and playnly shew'd , Though Ioy , would not let her speake ▪ They must vent , or she must breake . He as much Loue did expresse , As she Ioy , and tendernes , When thus solemnly they both , Ech to other plight theyr troth . 10. The Brides declaration of her Loue . 1. The World shall sooner want the sunns faire light . The Moone extinguisht be , and put out quite , The starres in darknes leaue the heau'ns aboue . 2. The spring shall sooner cause the dayes grow short , And fading Autumne , make them longer for 't , Shippes , on the land shall sayle about , & moue . 3. Cartes shall be drawne the liquid waters o're , Fishes i' th woods shall liue , i' th sea the boare Shall sooner find his food , and where to tread . 4. Then I shall cease to loue thee , euer deere , Whether I breath the life which I haue heere , Or el's am numbred with the gastly dead . 11. The Bridgroomes to her . 1. Nature may proue a Stepdame to the Earth , Spring may refuse to giue her Flowers birth , And tender Mothers hate theyr first borne child . 2. Fayre Vertue from her Goodnes may depart , And Vice may raigne without the conscience smart , All loue from gentle Breasts may be exild . 3. The Sunne may leaue the day , the Moone the night , Prosperity her Ioy , and Enuy spight , The auaricious may despise his Gould . 4. But I , deare soule , can neuer change from thee , Whilst Loue and Vertue which haue taken me , Keep in thy heart that place which now they hould . 12. Then whilst Angells sweetly sing , On her hand he puts a Ring ; Ring , which had such vertuous might , To expell with only sight , All Temptations Sinne doth breed In the thought , the word , or deed ; In the mynd a luster setting By pure thoughts of it's begetting . Thus the Ceremonyes done , All preparing to be gone , She her Spouse , that day her guest , Lead's vnto the Marriage feast

The Allegory .

BY the picture , vpon which the Bride so liberally bestowed her eyes , at her Entrance into the Temple , is signifyed , those good Thoughts and Cogitations , which the holines of such places doth often suggest vnto vs . By her withdrawing her sight from it , assoone as she remembred she had other more necessary things to do ; is shewed that we should neuer so dwell on the delectation of any one good worke , as therby to neglect a greater .

In her Deuotion and Attention during the Celebration of the holy mysteries , we are taught , how we are to concur with the Action and Intention of him who Celebrates .

By her Ring , may be vnderstood the memory of our B. Sauiour , on which if we but often & seriously reflect , it is impossible we should be so vngratefull to him , and trayterous to our selues , as to betray the Fort of our Innocency ( by the Intelligence eyther of thought , word , or act ) vnto any Vice , or Imperfection .

The fourth Canto . ARGVMENT . The Nuptiall Feast , wherin Is much commended , Her Drinke , & Fare ; but In excesse she ended . 1. HENCE exulting Ioy , begone , Els thou 'lt kill the Bride anone . She doth feed with soules delight , And , as if her Bridgroomes sight Her , like him , did heauenly make , Hath forgot all food to take . How her eyes are fixt on his , Scarse belieuing her owne blisse , That so poore a Soule , as she Should be Loue , to such as he , And when most assur'd t' is true , Then , she most doth wonder new . 2. Melting snow , that hills doth crowne , Toucht with sunshine , runs not downe Swifter , nor more currents seeks Then the teares vpon her cheeks . Much I feare they 'l ne're haue done ! Now to see his face , they runne Trickling downe , and now as fast When she finds , that they haue cast Such a mist her eyes before , She can scarcely see him more : So betwixt her Ioyes and Feares , Teares , are only cause of Teares . 3. In the mid'st of all our noyse Singing loude theyr Nuptiall Ioyes , She her silence breaks no more , Then the fishe when seas do roare , Least perhaps to gayne discourse , She , herselfe doth wisely force For to lend a word to lone Of a thousand words for one : But the whilst , as they are payd , Blessed Heauen , how she 's affrayd Least ech one should be the last , So too soone her gayne be past . 4. Why is all this Musicke heere ? 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 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 sounding 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 wanting 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 Parents 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 cannot change 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 .

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A00927-e5650