On blessed youths, for Jove doth pause,
Laying aside his graver Laws
For this device:
And at the wedding such a pair,
Each dance is taken for a prayer,
Each Song a Sacrifice.
The third Song, after their many Dances, when they are to take out the Ladies.
Single.
More pleasing were these sweet delights,
If Ladies mov'd as well as Knights;
Run every one of you and catch
A Nymph, in honor of his match;
And whisper boldly in her ear,
Jove will but laugh, if you forswear.
All.
And this days sins he doth resolve,
That we his Priests should all absolve.
The fourth Song, when they have parted with the Ladies, a shrill Musick sounds, supposed to be that which calls them to the Olympian games, at which they all make a seeming preparation to depart.
Y[e] should stay longer if we durst,
Away, alas! that he that first
Gave time wild wings to fly away,
H[ath] now no power to make him stay.
[But] though these games must needs be plaid,
I would th[is] pair, when they are laid,
And not a creature nigh 'em,
[Could] catch his sithe, as he doth pass,
And [cut] his wings, and break his glass,
And keep him ever by 'em.
The fifth Song, when all is done, as they ascend
Peace and silence be the guide
To the Man, and to the Bride:
If there be a joy y[e]t new
In marriage, let it fall on you,
That all the world may wonder:
If we should stay, we should do worse,
And turn our blessings to a curse,
By keeping you asunder.