His belly is golden, and noble each feature;
With envy will burst full many a creature.
Make haste, Miss Bee, and dress my hair,
And lace my waist, use perfumes rare.
With otto of roses rub me o’er,
And lavender oil on my feet then pour,
That I mayn’t stink or nastily smell,
When I in my bridegroom’s arms shall dwell.
Already are flitting the dragonflies blue,
As maids of honour to wait on me too.
Into my bridal garland they’ll twine
The blossoms white of the orange so fine.
Full many musicians are asked to the place,
And singers as well, of the grasshopper race.
The bittern, drone, hornet, and gadfly all come,
To blow on the trumpet, and beat the drum.
They’re all to strike up for the glad wedding feast—
The gay-wingèd guests, from greatest to least,
Are coming in families dapper and brisk,
The commoner insects amongst them frisk.