T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Epithalamium
By John Dryden (16311700)(From Amboyna, 1673) THE DAY is come, I see it rise, | |
Betwixt the Bride’s and Bridegroom’s Eyes, | |
That Golden day they wish’d so long, | |
Love pick’d it out midst the throng; | |
He destin’d to himself this Sun, | 5 |
And took the Reins and drove him on; | |
In his own Beams he drest him bright, | |
Yet bid him bring a better night. | |
The day you wish’d arriv’d at last, | |
You wish as much that it were past, | 10 |
One minute more and night will hide, | |
The Bridegroom and the blushing Bride. | |
The Virgin now to Bed does go; | |
Take care, oh Youth, she rise not so; | |
She pants and trembles at her doom, | 15 |
And fears and wishes thou wou’dst come. | |
The Bridegroom comes, He comes apace | |
With Love and Fury in his Face; | |
She shrinks away, He close pursues, | |
And Pray’rs and Threats at once does use, | 20 |
She softly sighing begs delay, | |
And with her hand puts his away, | |
Now out aloud for help she cries, | |
And now despairing shuts her eyes. | |