Fling, O womanish youth; the boys
(125) Ask thee charity. Time agone
Toys and folly; to-day begins
Our high duty, Talassius.
135 Hasten, youth, to be flinging.
Thou didst surely but yestereve
(130) Mock the women, a favourite
Far above them: anon the first
Beard, the razor. Alack, alas!
140 Hasten, youth, to be flinging.
You, whom odorous oils declare
(135) Bridegroom, swerve not; a slippery
Love calls lightly, but yet refrain.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
145 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Lawful only did e'er delight
(140) You, we know; but it is not, O
Husband, lawful as heretofore.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
150 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Bride, thou also, if he demand
(145) Aught, refuse not, assent, obey.
Love can angrily pipe adieu.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
155 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Look! thy mansion, a sovereign
(150) Home most goodly, by him to thee
Given. Reign as a queen within,
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
160 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Still when hoary decrepitude,
(155) Shaking wintery brows benign,
Nods a tremulous Yes to all.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
165 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
With fair augury smite the blest
(160) Threshold, sunnily glistening
Feet: yon ivory door approach,
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
170 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
See one seated, a banqueter.
(165) 'Tis thy lord on a Tyrian
Couch: his spirit is all to thee.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
175 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.
Not less surely in him than in
(170) Thee love lighteth a bosoming
Flame; but deeper, a fire within.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O
180 Hymen, O Hymenaeus.