XXIV.
Then all the birds they sang with voice on height,
Whose mirthful sound was marvellous to hear:
The Mavys sang, Hail ROSE most rich and right,
That does upflourish under Phebus' sphere,
Hail plant of youth, hail Prince's daughter dear,
Hail blossom breaking out of blood royal,
Whose precious virtue is imperial.
XXV.
The Merle she sang, Hail ROSE of most delight,
Hail of all flowers the sweet and sovereign Queen:
The lark she sang, hail ROSE both red and white,
Most pleasant flower of mighty colours[1] twain:
Nightingals sang, hail Natures suffragan,
In beauty, nurture, and each nobleness,
In rich array, renown, and gentleness.
The common voice uprose of warblers small,
Upon this wise, "O blessed be the hour
"That thou wast chose to be our principal,
"Welcome to be our Princess crown'd with pow'r,
"Our pearl, our pleasance, and our paramour,
"Our peace, our play, our plain felicity:
"Christ thee conserve from all adversity."
XXVII.
Then all the concert sang with such a shout,
That I anon awaken'd where I lay,
And with a braid I turned me about
To see this court, but all were gone away;
Then up I lean'd me, halflings in affray,
Call'd to my Muse, and for my subject chose
To sing the royal THISTLE and the ROSE.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Alluding to the Houses of york and lancaster, which were distinguished by the white and red rose, and united in the person of Queen margaret.