Homeward summon a sovereign
Wife most passionate, holden in
Love fast prisoner: ivy not
Closer closes an elm around,
35 Interchangeably trailing.
You too with him, O you for whom
Comes as joyous a time, your own.
Virgins stainless of heart, arise.
Chant in unison, Hymen, O
40 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
That, more readily listening,
Whiles your song to familiar
Duty calls him, he hie apace,
Lord of fair paramours, of youth's
45 Fair affection uniter.
Who more worthy than he to list
Lovers wearily languishing?
Bends from heaven a sovereign
God adorabler? Hymen, O
50 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
You the father in years for his
Child beseecheth; a virginal
Zone falls slackly to earth for you,
You half-fear in his hankering
55 Lists the groomsman approaching.
You from motherly lap the bright
Girl can sever; your hand divine
Gives dominion, ushering
Warm the lover. O Hymen, O
60 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Nought delightful, if you be far,
Nought unharmed of envious
Tongues, Love wins him: if you be near
Much he wins him. O excellent
65 God, that hath not a rival.
Houses cannot, if you be far,
Yield their children, a babe renew
Sire or mother: if you be near,
Comes renewal. O excellent
70 God, that hath not a rival.
If your great ceremonial
Fail, no champion yeomanry
Guards the border. If you be near
Arms the border. O excellent
75 God, that hath not a rival.
Fling the portal apart. The bride
Waits. O see ye the luminous
Torch-flakes ruddily flickering?
. . . . . . . .
80 . . . . . . .