Epithalamium, from Amboyna

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 amidst the throng;

He destin’d to himself this Sun,

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,

One Minute more and night will hide

The Bridegroom and the blushing Bride.

The Virgin now to Bed do’s goe:

Take care oh Youth, she rise not soe;

She pants and trembles at her doom

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 do’s use;

She softly sighing begs delay,

And with her hand, puts his away,

Now out aloud for help she cryes,

And now despairing shuts her Eyes.