That they may both, ere day, And Venus, thou, with timely seed, Nor let it prove a tomb, But, ere ten moons be wasted, And when the babe to light is shown, And either grandsire's spirit And fame let it inherit. That men may bless th' embraces That joined two such races. Cease, youths and virgins, you have done; To their perfection haste, 48 48 Essex was in his fifteenth and Laly Frances in her fou teenth year. VENUS' RUNAWAY.49 Beauties, have ye seen this toy She that will but now discover H' hath of marks about him plenty; And his breath a flame entire, At his sight the sun hath turned, 49 These verses, which are sometimes headed as above, occur in The Description of the Masque with the Nuptial Songs at the Lord Viscount Haddington's Marriage at Court, en the Shrove Tuesday at night, 1608. Gifford, avoiding the circumlocutory title, has given it the happy one of The Hue and Cry after Cupid. The "Epws Apaπéτns of Moschus is said to have furnished Jonson with the suggestion. Jove himself forsook his seat. Wings he hath, which though ye clip, He doth bear a golden bow Still the fairest are his fuel; When his days are to be cruel, Lovers' hearts are all his food, And his baths their warmest blood; Naught but wounds his hand doth season, And he hates none like to Reason. Trust him not; his words though sweet Seldom with his heart do meet; All his practice is deceit. Every gift it is a bait ; Not a kiss but poison bears; And most treason in his tears. Idle minutes are his reign; Then the straggler makes his gain, T' have all childish as himself. If by these ye please to know him, And that he is Venus' Run-away. EPITHALAMION.50 Up, youths and virgins, up and praise Could never boast of brighter lights; Two of your troop that with the morn were free And what they are, If you'll perfection see, Yourselves must be. Shine, Hesperus, shine forth, thou wished star. What joy or honors can compare With holy nuptials when they are 50 From the same masque as the last. The Made out of equal parts Of years, of states, of hands, of hearts? spouse and spoused have the foremost voice. Such, glad of Hymen's war, Live what they are, And long perfection see, And such ours be. Shine, Hesperus, shine forth thou wished star. The solemn state of this one night Were fit to last an age's light; But there are rites behind Have less of state but more of kind: And fruitful harvest of his mother's blisses. That what these are, Who will perfection see May haste to be. Shine, Hesperus, shine forth thou wished star. Love's commonwealth consists of toys; Games, laughter, sports, delights, For now their reign begins and lasts till day. And in that jar, |