THE Poem of Poems. OR, SIONS MUSE, Containing the divine Song of King Solomon, divided into eight Eclogues.  
Bramo assai, poco spero, nulla chieggio.  
AT LONDON, Printed by james Roberts for Matthew Lownes, and are to be sold at his Shop in Saint Dunston's Church.   

Unto the sacred Virgin, divine Mistress Elizabeth Sidney, sole daughter and heir, to the ever admired Sir Philip Sidney, Knight.  
BOund to your eternal service, (divinest of all Virgin creatures) both in honour of your renowned Grandfather, to whom my Name was ever immortally obliged, and your excellence admired, as far as admiration hath force to convey true praises; and lastly, conjured by an unresistible edict, from them to whom my life's course is all only enthralled, with humble reverence I offer to your maiden censure, these hallowed lines, metamorphosed by mine unhallowed senses; deign them (dear flower of dear virginnitie) with gracious aspect to smile upon mine infant Muse's devotion, and in despite of tyrannizing time, lend life to my labour and love to Solomon. Then yourself, no power is greater, and with your power is equal no work of Nature; be then yourself the powerful Engine to sustain my fortunes, and my fortunes the first created, to make known your power, that when mine unfeathered Muse shall be imped by your graces, she may strain her vntuned numbers to sing of you and your adored Father, whom heaven holds to make happy her habitation, earth wants to give wonder to her age, and men wish to make mighty their fortunes.  
Happy enough if I please enough. I. M.   

To the Readers.  
RApt in admiration (Gentlemen) with the excellencies of our English Poets, whose wondered spirits have made wonderful the works of profane love; I gave myself over to the study of enchanting Poesy, in which, I so much the more delighted myself, by how much the farther I found me from attaining the celestial secrets of her soule-pleasing Art, and in that amazement, willingly became an eternal Prentice to the Muses. At length, finding Nature an enemy to mine Art, denying me those affections, which in others make more than immortal the most earthly imaginations; I betook me to Divinity, in which labouring my sunne-burnt conceits, I found Poesy which I so much reverenced, created but a handmaid to attend Divinity: and that as Poesy gave grace to vulgar subjects, so Divinity gave glory to the best part of a Poet's invention. Proud in this opinion, I made love to salomon's holy Song, & dissolving my spirits in applause of that excellence, sought to attract it within the compass of our most usual stanzas, which having done, (though worse than Millions can do) I commit to your gentle censures. If the manner displease, the matter was salomon's, if the descant dislike, the plainsong was salomon's, if the lines be unsmooth, the words were salomon's, & how ever set forth, the invention was salomon's. Be Solomon then my Rock, to defend me from the railing of the envious; and my mediator to purchase favour with the courteous, so shall the one kick against the pricks, and the other bring grace to themselves in being gracious.  
This Song was not tuned for vulgar Music, but thought to have been reserved for a private Consort, only now commanded by those which may compel, it is made public. Sweet Gentlemen, let it have gentle passage through your ears, that it may be endowed with good hap, and I with good fortune, both with your favours, and all with your praise.  
Yours I. M.   

To his dear Mistress, Mistress Elizabeth Sidney.  
ALl the world's glory, and the earth's delight,  
Created for to teach Philosophy,  
That there's a greater Essence of more might  
Than Grandam Nature's old-taught deity,  
Look on these lines, dear issues of a King,  
The Song of Songs, that lent invention eyes,  
Which great jehovahs' Querister did sing,  
Unto the Sphearie Organ of the skies:  
Learn not but learn by this celestial bride,  
To entertain espoused happiness,  
Yet let thy Virgine-Taper ever bide  
Like midday Sun to light true holiness,  
For though the world, and all things fade away,  
Thy Virtues, and this Song shall near decay.  
E. W.   

¶ The Argument of the whole Book.  
IN this Song, Solomon by most sweet and comfortable allegories and parables, describeth the perfect love of jesus Christ, the true Solomon and King of peace, and the faithful soul or his Church, which he hath sanctified and appointed to be his spouse, holy, chaste and without reprehension. So that here is declared the singular love of the bridegroom toward the bride, and his great and excellent benefits wherewith he doth enrich her of his pure bounty and grace without any of her deservings. Also the earnest affection of the Church which is inflamed with the love of Christ desiring to be more and more joined to him in love, and not to be forsaken for any spot or blemish that is in her.   

Faults escaped in the printing.  
IN Ecloga tertia, the 10, stanze, and the last line, for lived with Zion's Love, read lined with Zion's love.  
In Ecloga quarta, before you read, O fountain of the garden, etc. read Ecclesia for the Speaker in that place.   

ECLOGA PRIMA.  
Th'argument.  
Between Thaumastos and his love dark lovely talk doth pass,  
She of her home-begotten woes bemoanes the wronged case.  ECCLESIA, THAUMASTOS. 

Verse 1.  
IMprint upon my lips pure livery  
The honey pleasure of thy mouths dear kiss,  
For why thy love, bounded in no degree,  
Exceeds the sence-inchaunting sugared bliss  
Which from the taste of wine attracted is.   

2.  
Like ayre-perfuming Odours is thy smell,  
And like rich Unguents is thy glorious Name,  
powered divinely from a precious Well,  
Whence lo a brand of kind affection came,  
Kindling The Virgins hearts with thy loves flame.   

3.  
Draw me (my dear) entice me with thine eye,  
Then shall my after flight Times flight o'errun,  
And when the King in pompous royalty,  
Shall mine afflictions fetters have undone,  
Inhousing in his Chamber myself's son,   

Then shall my joy in thee be complete framed,  
And thine eternal happy-making love,  
Then juice of swelling grapes; or what is named  
By sweeter stile; I will record above  
All reach; because the just in thee do move.   

4.  
You Daughters of jerusalem behold  
The sable tinckture of my spotted face,  
Yet note youths features in decaying old,  
For I am lovely, rich in comely grace,  
More than the twins which sprung from 
* Psalm. 120,5  Kedar's race.   

Kedar the large descent of Ishmael's line,  
From whom the tent-inclosd Arabians sprang;  
And of more beauty than the silken twine  
Of salomon's curtain; when thereon doth hang  
Th'unvalued gems of which all Zion rang.   

5.  
Disdain me not because of black attaint,  
For why the scorching Sun hath kissed my brow,  
And with his eieballs, on my cheeks doth paint,  
What sinne-inflicting nature doth allow  
Through the corruption of her broken vow.   

Not for my Brothers (dear in my pure sight)  
Th'unkindest offspring of my Mother's womb  
Against me forced the hosts of wrath to fight,  
Making me keep a foreign vine by dumb,  
Whilst I mine own in lost regard entomb.   

6.  
O thou in whom my soul's affections dwell,  
That canst recuer my fayrs disparagement,  
Vnuayle to me thy being; dear heart tell  
Both where thou feedest, & when the morn is spent,  
In what calm noontide shade thy limbs are penned.   

For why should I their footsteps imitate  
Which turns aside unto thy neighbour's flocks,  
Whom thou hast called to that divine estate,  
And yet like long washed, sand-consuming Rocks,  
By their fond dreams thy grace in prison locks.   Thaumastos. 

7.  
Most excellent of all the female line, 
〈…〉   
O thou the fairest women's only fair,  
If where I am thou know'st not, then decline  
And by the morning's footsteps which appear, 
〈…〉   
Trace forth my flocks, and figure their repair;   

And by the Tents of those celestial swains  
Which unto Eden's pastors are thy guide,  
Feed thy young kids; and on their flowery plains  
Sport with thy lambkins, in the summers pride.  
So shalt thou learn, and know where I abide.   

8.  
I have (my Love) compared thine excellence,  
Unto the managed troops of armed Steeds,  
Whose crests, the seat of glories residence  
Adorn great Pharo's Chariot; when with weeds  
Of pomp; they hale his watch to martial deeds.   

9  
Thy comely cheeks, the jewels of my heart,  
Are rich enchased with rare reflecting stone,  
And 'bout thy neck where Beauty learned his Art,  
Hang lynke-unyted chains which all alone,  
Girdle thy beams from view of any one.   

10.  
'tis we (my dear) that of the purest gold,  
Tried in the flame from out th'Arabian mine,  
Will make thee borders; doubled many fold,  
Imbosted, and intraild with curious twine,  
Which shall with silver studs embellished shine.   Ecclesia. 

11.  
Whilst in the concaved palace of my dear,  
My King, my Love shall take desired repose,  
My Spyknards sacred fume shall then appear,  
Embalming all the places where he goes,  
And by his scent my fervent love disclose.   

12.  
My only one, beloved much more than most,  
Like sweetening Myrrh, the seasoner of smell,  
Such sacred sent thy sight in me doth boast,  
And thou my Love in whom all loves I tell,  
Shalt twixt my Maiden breasts for ever dwell.   

13.  
My Loves-ioy is like Cypress clustered fruit  
Planted amongst the vines of Engedi;  
At whose rich bounds the Salt-seas humble suit,  
Implores with kind embracing feruensie,  
Respect of love, in his loves ecstasy.   Thaumastos. 

14.  
See, see, my Love thou'rt fair, (o fairest fair)  
Fair is my Love, fair in my Love is fair,  
The gentle Doves that wanton in the air,  
And dally in our breath-bequeathing sphere,  
Within thine eyes their beauties do appear.   Ecclesia. 

15.  
(dearly beloved) double thou art as fair,  
And more than fair pleasure comforts with thee,  
Beauteous pleasant; pleasant beauteous dear,  
To this thou addest all eternity;  
And ever green our bridal bed shall be.   

16..  
The stately beams of our fair Citadel,  
And costly coloms curiously wrought,  
Are all of Cedar, rich in praise and smell,  
And those fair walks th'enchanters of my thought,  
shallbe of vened Fir, with endless title bought.    

ECLOGA SECUNDA.  
Th'argument.  
Under Thaumaitos' wings to rest Ecclesia goes,  
She unto Doves; to Fox deceit compared are her Foes.  ECCLESIA, THAUMASTOS. 

1.  
I Am (my dear) the glorious bashful Rose  
Which on the summer plains of 
* 1. 〈…〉 27.  Sharon grow,  
Sharon the nurse of smells; food to that nose  
That draws his breath where her sweet Rosiats flow.  
I am that Rose, the pride of Libanon,  
Beauty of Gardens, splendour of the field,  
And I am that pale Lily looked upon,  
Whose virgin-coloured pureness, pleasures yield.  
I am the Rose, the high fields ornament,  
And Lillie-bloome, the Valleys blandishment.   Thaumastos. 

2.  
As stainelesse grows the staining Lilies blaze  
Planted amongst the undergrowing thorn,  
And as she makes disliking like to gaze,  
Praising her beams, chiding where she was borne,  
So 'mongst the maiden daughters of the world,  
Thorny infolders of the fairest rays,  
Such is my love, so is thy beauty hurled  
Into mine eye; gracing dispraise with praise.  
As Lilies are with thorns environed,  
Such is my love with maids ingirdeled.   Ecclesia. 

3.  
As 'mongst the forests barren shadowing trees,  
The comely Aple-bearing stock erects  
His rich regard; beyond all mean degrees,  
Such is my dear 'mongst other men's defects.  
Under thy shadowing fruitful arms I sat,   

Thither delight inticst my fervent zeal,  
And in my rest, thy fruit to wonder at,  
Unto my mouth all honie-sweets reveal.  
Like th'apple tree in woods, such is my love,  
Fair shade, sweet taste, all sweetness far above.   

4.  
Into his feast-house streaming purest Wine,  
Thither my King, my love hath brought his dear,  
Waving the Ensign of his love divine,  
Over mine head; defending me from fear.  
O stay me (love) with flagons do support me,   

5.  
Raise my decline, sustain my down remove,  
With taste of apples (dear heart) do comfort me,  
For I am sick, o sick of mighty love.  
Under loves Canapee, brought to thy feasting bliss,  
Support and comfort me that lovesick is.   

6.  
Under my head, (weary for want of rest)  
My loves left hand (o sacred hand) doth lie;  
Soft Pyllow-lyke making my temples blest,  
Infusing slumber in my closing eye,  
And with his right hand learned how to enlace,  
And make his Love by his enfoldings glad,  
He makes me rich with kindest kind embrace,  
Such as the like no true love ever had.  
Upon his left my head takes her repose  
And with his right me doth my Love enclose.   Thaumastos. 

7.  
Daughters of juda, Twins of jerusalem,  
That with my Love my fairest one do dwell,  
I charge you by the Hinds, and Roes, and them  
That grace our fields with beauty, or with smell,  
Not to stir up; or with confusions sound  
To break the blessed slumber of my sweet,  
But let her rest, with choicest calms be found,  
Until to wake her pleasure thinks it meet.  
You Zion's heirs do not my Love awake  
Until herself, herself from slumber take.   Ecclesia. 

8.  
It is my best Beloveds voice I hear,  
Hark how his words sweet Musics notes resound,  
See where he comes, mark how he doth appear,  
O how his words with ravishment confounds;  
See where he comes, and by the Mountains leaps,   

●.  
By Mountains leaps my jolly capering Love,  
See where he skips by hills, and earthy heaps,  
Leaping, and skipping look how my dear doth move,  
The voice I hear issues from my loves lip,  
Whilst by the Mounts he leaps, and hills doth skip.   

9.  
Like a young Hart, or like a wing'd-foote Roe,  
Chase upon the Meadows and the plains,  
Such is my well-beloved in self and shoe,  
Such like my dearest deer one aye remains;  
See how he stands veiled behind our wall,  
From opened casments darting his pure raise,  
And through the grats, and crannies made to thrall,  
His own true splendour gloriously displais.  
My love like Roes, & Heart's wal-clowded shines,  
And shoes from grats, and windows him divine.   

10  
My soul's joy spoke, thus spoke his music words,  
My love, my fair one rise, dear come away,  
For see the stormy Winter Spring affords,  
Past is the frosty seasons stubborn sway,  
The showers of sin in rain drops numberless,  
Is changed and altered in this blooming time,  
Fled is brem winters wrath held merciless,  
And budding fruit doth flower in our clime.  
Thus saith my sweet, Winter doth Spring obey,  
Then rise my love, my fair one come away.   

12.  
The earth's fair Arras carpet wrought in flowers,  
Now comely folds her cold dry carcase in,  
Beauty now paints the face was marred Wt showers,  
And all the airs sweet quirristers begin  
To chant their carrolling lays with high regard,  
Even from the tallest Cedars to the shrubs,  
Whilst in our land the Turtles voice is hard,  
Tuning grave Anthems in the lower wood's.  
Earth boasts her flowers, birds brag their singing time,  
And in our land the Turtles voice doth chime.   

13.  
The elder Figtree bears the younger figs,  
And Mother-like unloades her womb of fruit,  
So doth the Vines with broad leaved winged twigs,  
Whose shadowing arms are rich in men's repute,  
Now with their smallest grapes, times youngest born  
Clustered in bunches like a countless brood,  
Casts forth perfuming savours, which adorn  
And odor all what ever near them stood.  
Old Figs bear young, sweetness in vines bear sway,  
Then rise my Love, my fair one come away.   

14.  
My dearest Bird, my choicest sacred Dove,  
That now inhoused, in hollow rocks appears,  
From those dark cloudy places (sweet) remove,  
And from the secret corners of the stairs,  
Display thy comely sight within mine eye,  
Warble thy voice, (my choice one) in mine ear,  
For all thy words are sweetest melody,  
And thy well favoured sight is seemly clear.  
My rock-pent Dove; show me, & let me hear,  
Thy voice, and sight, one sweet, the other fair.   

15.  
My Love the old beguiling Foxes take,  
And all the younger Foxes sweet destroy,  
For they upon our vines foul havoc make,  
And those which have young grapes they will annoy;  
Mine is mine own, my best beloved is mine,   

16.  
His is his own, I and myself am his,  
Amongst the white bloomd lilies in the prime,  
There feeds the darling of my best hearts bliss.  
The Foxes take which makes our vines to bleed  
Thou mine, I thine, thou dost on lilies feed.   

17.  
Until the early day break from the sky,  
And chase the shadows with her brighter wings,  
Return my best beloved, and with me lie,  
Return and be like wanton Roes that flings,  
Or like a young, and lusty stirring Hart,  
Scaling the high divided Mountain tops  
Of 
* 〈…〉  Bether; which deep Iordans waves do part,  
Washing his feet with crystal water drops.  
Return my Love till day-break shadows kills,  
And be like Roes, or Hearts on Bethcr hills.    

ECLOGA TERTIA.  
Th'argument.  
A never to be changed conjoin the Nymph seeks of her dear,  
And from the wilderness black walks, is brought to paths most clear.  ECCLESIA, THAUMASTOS. 

1.  
IN coale-blacke night, the nurse and dam of woe,  
Within my bed, whence easeful rest should flow,  
Him mine enamoured soul's delight I sought,  
But all in vain my busy care did tend,  
For whom I sought I found not in the end,  
Such bootless labour in my search was wrought.  
By night I sought my soul's Love in my bed,  
But found him not; for he away was fled.   

2.  
Then did I rise, for no repose could please,  
And search the City, Streets, and open ways,  
All to find out my souls long lacking bliss,  
Incessant suit, endless my quest remained,  
And of my loves loss mightily complained,  
Yet found I not whom my desires did miss.  
I rose and sought the City, Streets, and ways,  
But found not him whose Love my soul obeys.   

3.  
The busy watchmen, hopes to my desire,  
(Who round about our Cities walks retire)  
They in mine earnest seeking found me out;  
To whom I said (down burdened with my wrong)  
Have you not seen my soul's Love pass along,  
Nor through our streets, nor through our watchful scout.  
The cities watch in searching found me there,  
To whom I said; saw you not my souls dear.   

4.  
Then passing by and looking up and down,  
Having new left the gardiants of our Town,  
I found the only one my souls Love nursed;  
Fast hold I took, and left not him I sought,  
Till to my Mother's house I had him brought  
Into her Chamber which conceived me first.  
Passing the watch, I found and took my King,  
And him unto my Mother's house did bring.   

5.  
You Maiden brood of fair jerusalem,  
By Roes and Hinds, choice in the sight of men  
I charge, command, and by them all I bind you,  
Not with enkindled tumult to molest,  
Or break my love from his divinest rest,  
Until his sacred pleasure be to mind you.  
By Roes, and Hinds, judeans I conjure  
That you my loves awake do not procure.   Thaumastos. 

6.  
What sacred one is she which doth address,  
And rise out of the vast shaped wilderness  
Like smoky pilasters to kiss the sky;  
Perfumed with Myrrh burnt in the liquid flame,  
And Incense seattred sweetly in the same,  
With all the spice which Merchants use to buy.  
What's she like smoke from deserts doth arise,  
Sweetened with Myrrh, Incense, and merchants spice?   Ecclesia. 

7.  
Behold my Love thy glorious bed alone,  
Which Solomon erected for his own,  
And builded for the last world's memory:  
Threescore strong men, about it armed stand,  
Most valiant held in Israel's happy land,  
To shield it safe from private enemy,  
About thy bed due to King salomon's name,  
Stand threescore strong; vowed to defend the same.   

8.  
They all have skill in managing their swords,  
And expert are, in War, and warlike words,  
No one more seen in Martial deeds than they:  
Each hath his sword upon his manly thigh,  
Fearing the nights sworn private enemy,  
So much in them, their careful cares bear sway.  
All expert are in War, and manly fight,  
Bearing their conquering swords for fear by night.   

9  
King Solomon, fair Sions blessed King,  
Of whom the Heaven-unfoulding Books do sing,  
He for himself a stately palace framed  
Of costly wood, and curious pleasing show,  
Such as no after age shall ever know,  
From Lebanon the comely trees were named.  
Of those fair trees of fruitful Lebanon,  
The King hath built himself a stately throne   

10.  
He whose inventions pureness cannot fade,  
Of polished silver hath his pillars made,  
The pavement gold, like an inchased gem:  
The hangings purple, delicately done,  
Upon whose midst the true Loves ever won,  
Of all the dames of great jerusalem.  
Gold paved; with silver pillars raised above;  
Purple the hangings, lived with Sions love.   

11.  
Come forth you daughters juda doth enfold,  
And your great King, rich Solomon behold,  
Crowned with that Diadem of sacred sway;  
Wherewith his Mother in his nuptial feast,  
Adorned his shining temples glorious crest,  
And in his hearts triumphant Holy day.  
Come Virgin-holy Maids see Solomon crowned,  
Upon that day when all his joys were found.    

ECLOGA QVARTA.  
Th'argument.  
Ecclesia, spotless in his eye Thaumastos much commends;  
And in the ardour of his Zeal his Love to her commends.  THAUMASTOS ECCLESIA. 

1.  
MY perfect love, behold thou'rt perfect fair,  
Fair is my Love, & beauteous is her face,  
And thy bright eyes, pure chastities sole hair  
Are like to doves unstained constant grace.  
O thou art fair, fair is my sacred Love,  
And thy chaste eye is like the chastest Dove.   

Amongst thy gold-dispierced comely locks,  
Thy tressed hairs delightful memory,  
Are like the Goats gathered in goodly flocks,  
Which from the Mountain Giliad casts their eye,  
Thy hairs amongst their curls are like the flock.  
Which downwards casts their looks from Giliads rock.   

2.  
Thy milk-white teeth are like well ordered sheep,  
Which bear their silver fleeces from the brook,  
All bringing twins; twins brought they safely leepe,  
Whom barraines forsaking hath forsook.  
Thy teeth like well washed sheep in order stand,  
All twinning; and none barren in our land.   

3.  
Thy lips are like the sweet died scarlet third  
And comely is thy speech discovering talk,  
Thy blessed temples in thy locks are hid,  
Like a Pomegranate on his broad-leaved stalk.  
Thy lips like Scarlet, all thy talk is fair,  
Thy temples in thy locks Pomegranates were.   

4.  
Like David's stately Tower, built for defence,  
Such is the towrie beauty of thy neck,  
A thousand shields therein keeps residence,  
And it the strong-mens' Targets richly deck.  
Thy neck like David's tower when hung along,  
With thousand shields, and Targets of the strong.   

5.  
Thy two fair breasts, imboasted circular,  
The cabinets of knowledge, and pure zeal,  
As two young twinned Roes, such like they are,  
Feeding where sweetening Lilies sweets reveal.  
Thy breasts are like two infant twinned Roes,  
Grassing where all the white-facst Lilies grows.   

6.  
Until the day-break beautify the morn,  
And black-faced shadows fly before the Son,  
Unto the hills where sweet-breathd Myrrh was borne,  
And to the Mounts of Incense will I run  
To Mounts of Myrrh and Incense will I go  
Till early day black shadows overthrow.   

7.  
All fair in thee, thou in all fair dost dwell  
My Love, my dear, my only souls delight  
Pureness himself, cannot thy pureness tell,  
For thou art spotless, never-stayning white.  
With all eternal fair my Love is crowned,  
And no one spot about her can be found.   

8.  
My bridal spouse, my bed's companion,  
From fruitful Lebanon come walk with me,  
With me (my soul's soul) come from Lebanon,  
Where grows rich Frankincense perfuming tree.  
With me come trace from hie-topt Lebanon,  
That all Arabia's confines looks upon.   

And from the top of Amanab look down,  
From Shenir, and from Hermons holy hill,  
Even from the dens where angry Lions frown,  
And from the Mounts which Leopards do fill.  
From Amanah, Hermon, and Shenir see,  
From Lion's dens, and where the Leopards be.   

9  
My Sister, spouse, and all what in me lies,  
Wounded thou hast, wounded thou hast my heart,  
First with a look from one of thy fair eyes,  
Then with thy necks chain glorying that part.  
My Sister, spouse, by thee my heart's wound came,  
Thy necks chain cause, & thine eyes brighter flame.   

10.  
How fair my spouse and Sister is thy Love,  
O how much better then delightful wine?  
And thy rare ointments savour I do prove,  
Which from the tops of Lebanon do go.  
O garden fount; o living waters well,  
O spring which on Mount Lebanon doth dwell.   

16.  
Arise o North, and come o South and blow,  
That my fair gardens spice may issue out,  
And let my best Love to his garden go:  
To eat the fruit; pleasure impales about.  
Blow North, & South, my garden's spice out cast,  
And let my Love his fruits sweet pleasure taste.    

ECLOGA QVINTA.  
Th'argument.  
Thaumastos calls his Love, and she his voice doth hear,  
She doth confess her nakedness, and highly lauds her dear.  THAUMASTOS ECCLESIA. JUDA. 

1.  
MY Sister, and my bed's companion,  
Into my garden am I comed alone;  
My Myrrh I gathered with my other spice,  
(Perfuming planted in my Paradise)  
My Honiecombe I ate with Honey spread,  
My wine I drank with sweet milk mingled,  
Then o my friends and consorts of my love,  
Drink, eat, and laugh, let solace only move.   Ecclesia. 

2.  
Slumber impaleth all my weaker sense,  
But yet my heart keeps waking residence,  
The voice which knocketh at my closed up door,  
Issues from him my greatest loves adore.   Thaumastos. 

Open to me my Sister and my love,  
My undefiled fair-one, my heart's Dove,  
For see my head with moistening dew is spread,  
And all my locks with night-drops covered.   Ecclesia. 

3.  
My weeds put of (dear) naked I remain,  
How shall I then the same put on again?  
My feet are bathed, and washed from spotting sin,  
How to defile them shall I then begin?   

4.  
My well_beloved sacred hand was put  
In by the doors hole when the same was shut,  
And in that motion was my secret heart.  
My inward bowels, and my private part,  
Moved, stirred up, and mightily inflamed  
With love to him, in whom my love was framed.   

5.  
Then rose I up to open (but too late)  
The long closed portal of my palace gate,  
And rising dropped from my ivory hands,  
And from my fingers (once affections brands)  
Myrrh, and pure Myrrh, (no sweets more purer are)  
Upon the sacred handles of the bar.   

6.  
Open I did unto my Love the door,  
But he was gone; past was my love before,  
Gone was my heart and from my breast did break,  
When first I heard my dearest true-love speak,  
Long did I seek but could not find my friend,  
I called but he no answer back would send.   

7.  
The cities rounders, Watchmen of our town,  
They found me how I sought him up, and down,  
And finding me, with weapons of their scorn  
They smoat, and wounded me; my loves forlorn;  
And those which on our cities walls did watch,  
They from my beauteous face; my vail did catch.   

8.  
O holy Daughters of jerusalem,  
I charge and bind you by my true loves gem,  
That if you find where my soul's life doth move,  
You tell him I am mighty sick of love.   juda. 

9  
O female excellence; o beauties crown  
Which art of women's fair, the fair renown,  
What is thy well_beloved honour more,  
Than others well_beloved known before?  
Or whereby doth thy loves love grow so large,  
That thus thou bindest us by this mighty charge?   Ecclesia. 

10.  
juda, my best beloved is lily white,  
ruddy and pale; Vermilion silver bright,  
'mongst thousands and ten thousands of the blessed,  
He is the chiefest and the only best,   

11  
His head as to fine gold, bright rays assume,  
His curled locks, black as the ravens plume,   

12.  
His virgin eyes are like the silver Doves  
Which on the watery Rivers sing their loves,  
Whilst washed within the sweet milks pleasant stream,  
They by the full filled vessels do remain.   

13  
His cheeks are as a bed of rarest spice,  
Or flowers sprung up in heavens Paradise,  
And his dear lips like Lilies; ceaseless power  
Of purest Myrrh, an everlasting shower;   

14  
His hands like rings of gold, whilst in them sit  
The never equalled shining Chrissolit.  
His belly like pure ivory burnished,  
With blew-veynd sapphires richly covered.   

15.  
His legs are pillars wrought in Marble mine,  
Grafted in golden sockets as divine,  
As Lebanon such is his countenance bend,  
And as the Cedars most, most excellent.   

16.  
His mouth as all the world of sweetness is,  
And all in all he is delights best bliss.  
O Daughters of jerusalem attend,  
This is my love, my lover, and my friend.   juda. 

17  
Beauty of Beauties; excelling fairest one,  
O whether is thy best beloved gone,  
Whether is thy souls sovereign turned aside,  
Where do his glories, and his triumphs bide?  
Tell us that we may seek him out with thee.  
Admired through heaven, and earth's posterity.    

ECLOGA SEXTA.  
Th'argument.  
Ecclesia in her soul assures, Thaumastos love unfaind,  
And 'mongst her praises doth display, her single self unstained.  ECCLESIA, THAUMASTOS. 

1.  
Go to this world's fair Eden is my love,  
Unto the beds of spices, and perfumes  
In that choice garden where delights do move,  
There will he banquet till the day consumes,  
Gathering pale Lilies to adorn his plumes.  
My true-love to the garden's spice beds came,  
To feed and gather Lilies in the same.   

2.  
Exchanged I, to him, to me my dear,  
Immortal interest holds my love in me,  
No less in him is my strong title clear,  
Both having right of perpetuity,  
Whilst he on Lilies feeds eternally.  
I am his own, he is my proper right,  
Who feeds on Lillies-food both day & night.   Thaumastos. 

3.  
As Tirza, is my true love beautiful;  

* 〈…〉  Tirza which borders chosen Israel,  
Whom Euphrates within his arms doth cull,  
As bright jerusalem her looks excel,  
And as an ensignd Army she is fell.  
As Tirza or jerusalem my star,  
Is fair and stern, as bannerd hosts in war.   

Turn from mine eyes, the beauty of thine eyes,  
For their sun-darting splendours conquer me,  
And as thy thralls, mine all affections lies,  
The while thy net inclosing-tresses be,  
Like Mountain kids, which to the Valleys see.  
Turn thy victorious eye away, thy locks  
Are like the down cast looks of high climbed flocks.   

The ivory gardiants of thy blessed talk,  
Are like the double-bearing new washed sheep,  
Whose fruitful wombs, plenties well loaden stalk  
Hath now entombed in the unsearched deep  
All the poor trophies barrenness did keep. 
〈…〉   
As barrenlesse washed sheep are with their twins,  
Such seem thy teeth bright polished garnishings.   

Thy stately forehead clouded underneath  
The sumptuous curtain of thy golden tress,  
Resembles those Pomegranates which deceive,  
The passenger; whose eyesight cannot guess,  
Where hangs the fruit through leaf-dark wilderness.  
As great Pomegranates levy shades allow,  
So do thy hairs hoodewinke thy silver bow.   

Threescore anointed gorgeous Queens there are,  
And fourscore wanton Concubines for love,  
And of the Maiden Damsels whom compare  
Raiseth the greatest number far above,  
In countless infinets their armies move.  
Queens threescore, fourscore Concubines remain,  
And Damsels whom no number can contain.   

Yet is my love alone unequalled  
The only stainless issue of her mother,  
Dearer to her than may be valued,  
Seen of those Maids, and praised before all other,  
whose laud nor Queens nor concubines will smother.  
My single love, in whom all things are pleased,  
Of maids, of Queens, & concubines is praised.   

But speak all ages, tell me who she is,  
Which like the morning's glory looks abroad,  
Fair as the full Moon midst her starry bliss,  
Pure as the Sun in highest heavens abode,  
And dreadful as an Ensignd armies load?  
What's she looks forth, fairer than Moon or star,  
Bright like the Sun, fearful as men of war?   Ecclesia. 

down have I gone into the nuttie walks,  
To view the valleys riches, and her fruit,  
To see what buds sprang from the Vine trees stalks,  
Or if the brave Pomegranate with repute  
Were over flourished with a flowery suit.  
down did I go into the nuttie bower,  
To see the Vine buds, and Pomegranates flower.   

But when I came, nothing to me was known,  
Discording unagreements rained therein,  
Then did my soul with wings that well had flown,  
Address me like the Chariots that within  
Swiftly to hale thy noble troops begin.  
Nothing I knew, and my soul set me then,  
Like to the chariots of thy noble men.   

Return, return, o Shulamit return,  
That we may see thy peace containing bounds,  
What shall you see in her but cause of mourn?  
Who like an Army pestreth all her grounds,  
Promising nothing but dead-killing wounds.  
Return o Shulamit, return jerusalem,  
Ha, she is nothing but an host of men.    

ECLOGA SEPTIMA.  
Th'argument.  
Ecclesias naked linaments judea's praise displays,  
Sealing th'assurance of the love, that lasts all lasting days.  JUDEA, ECCLESIA. 

1.  
O Virgin, issue of a Prince's bed,  
How beautiful and comely is thy pace?  
How glorious is thy feet with gilt shoes spread,  
Yielding their measured steps unmeasurd grace?  
Thy thighs fair motive joints, by true bliss led,  
Are like rich jewels on a virgin's face.  
The happy work of that thrice happy hand,  
Whose cunning art, doth art from arte command.   

2.  
Thy mountain navel, holy hill of peace,  
Is like a globie cup made Sphearie round,  
In which celestial liquor doth increase.  
Thy belly as fair heaps of wheat abound,  
So is the rising and the down release,  
Whilst pale-facst Lilies it impalleth round.   

3.  
Thy two dear breasts, chaste cabinets of power,  
Are like two Roes twinned in a happy hour.   

4.  
Thy towrie neck (bright throne of ivory)  
Looks like the silver coloms of the day,  
And like the Pools in Heshbon is thine eye,  
Where liquid Crystal sports with sunny play,  
Like those clear Ponds of Heshbon, which do lie  
And at Bath-rabims gate moist tributes pay.  
As Lebanons high turret is thy nose,  
Which walled Damascus for his object chose.   

5.  
Thy head upon the palace of thy neck,  
Is as the scarlet absolute for die,  
Thy bushy tresses which thy curls bedeck,  
Are like to purple; grave in every eye.  
The King the greatest great bows at thy beck;  
Tied in gold-chaines unto thy company.   

6.  
O how much fair art thou my honey Love,  
What pleasure in thy pleasures ever move.   

7.  
Like mounting palm that springs in pressing down,  
Thy stature is; like clusters are thy breasts,   

8.  
Oft have I said I would with high renown,  
Climb up the palm trees flowery topped crests;  
I said my hands should make her bows my crown,  
Whilst on thy teats time bunching grapes invests.  
And that rare odour which thy nose expels,  
Shall better much the apples better smells.   

9  
Thy mouths celestial roof, shrine of delight,  
Shall be like wine refiner of the wit,  
Whose holy fume, flame like ascends upright,  
And in my best beloveds throne doth sit,  
Causing old lips locked up by silence spite,  
To speak what speaking Angels might be fit.   

10.  
Wholly I am my holy loves for ever,  
Whose chaste desire from me removeth never.   

11.  
Come, come my Love, the best joy of my mind,  
The only one is pleasing in mine eyes,  
Let us go forth and frolic with the wind,  
Sports with the air, and wanton with the skies,  
Let us over view the fields, love let us find,  
Whence all the meadows beauties do arise.  
Thence let us pitch our happy tents and dwell,  
In Villages; contents true Citadall.   

12.  
Let us rise up more early than the day,  
Even when the night shall give the morning place,  
And view the vines that overspread our way,  
There let us see the flourish of his grace;  
And whether his small buds their young grapes pay,  
Or if Pomegranates pride, all prides deface.  
There will I give, what no gift else can give,  
My love to thee; which love shall ever live.   

13.  
The Mandrags vapour odorifferus smells,  
The Honey nourishment of breathing sense,  
And in our gates, and Portals ever dwells,  
Even in our Cloisters, and our house defence,  
All whatsoever sweetest sweetness tells,  
Within the compass of sweets residence.  
Both new and old, and all that pleasures steep,  
For thee my love eternally I keep.    

ECLOGA OCTAVA.  
Th'argument.  
Thaumastos must Ecclesia teach, whom he supports from fall,  
His fervent love to her he tells, the Vine that beareth all.  ECCLESIA, THAUMASTOS. JUDEA. 

1.  
OH that thou wert (o holy happy prayer,)  
As is my brother chained by kind to me,  
who hanging on my mother's breasts, draws air  
Of living life, from that eternity,  
Then in the plains would I recover thee,  
And see thee sport without upon the green,  
There would I kiss thine hand, thy cheek, thine eye,  
Thine every part where every praise is seen,  
whilst none should scorn thy sweets, (fit sovereign for Quee●   

2.  
Then would I lead thee by a golden twine,  
And bring thee to my Mother's dwelling place,  
There shalt thou teach me precepts most divine,  
The learned Legends of eternal grace,  
And I will banquet, feast thee, and embrace;  
Causing to bathe thy temples and thy taste,  
With spiced wine, the pride of pleasures race,  
And with new juice, from sweet pomegranates cast,   

3.  
Thy left hand on my head, thy right about my waist.   Thaumastos. 

4.  
I charge you Daughters of jerusalem,  
Awake nor stir my love until she please,   juda. 

5.  
What sacted Maid, what holy Virgin gem,  
Is this that from dark shades her eyes doth raise?  
And on her love her lovely arms displays.  
Under an apple tree; I raised thee down,  
There where thy Mother, thy first date conceives.  
Even where she first attained conceptions crown,  
That bare, that bred, that brought, that nursed thee in our Town.   Thaumastos. 

6.  
Set my loves seal, upon thy tender heart,  
And there imprint the Image of my zeal,  
Or as a signet never vowed to part,  
Unto thine arm let me for place appeal,  
For love then death, doth greater strength reveal,  
And jealousy is fiercer than the grave,  
Her kindled brands doth fiery vigour steal.  
And those bright flames which from her being have,  
Are vehement, raging mad, & will no object save.   

7.  
Eternal rivers quench not burning love,  
Nor can the world's floods drown long lived desire,  
Give all the world, all what in it doth move,  
Yet all contained, abates not true loves fire.   Ecclesia. 

8.  
One sister (love) we have which doth retire,  
Yet wants she breasts to nourish hers withal,  
What shall we do for her? let me inquire?  
What shall I say? what excuse shall I let fall?  
When others for our sister's loves shall loudly call?   judea. 

9  
If she be wall-like, we will build thereon  
A silver palace burnished as the Sky,  
And if she be doore-like, or portal strong,  
we'll lock her in on Cedar boards to lie.   Ecclesia. 

10.  
I am brickwall built by eternity,  
For see, my breasts are like two well framed towers,  
And I have lain within my loves quick eye,  
Like one which in his sight finds peaceful flowers,  
To trim new Eden up, and other happy bowers.   Thaumastos. 

11.  
A comely Vine hath mighty Solomon,  
Which sundry keepers watch with coy regard,  
It fruitful spreading, grows in Baal-Hamon,  
Who of the fruit will taste, brings for reward  
A thousand silver pieces well prepared.   

12.  
Yet my fair Vineyard lies before my face,  
Thousands to thee o Solomon, are shared,  
But unto him which keeps my sacred place,  
Two hundredth appertain, reward of greater grace.   

13  
O thou which in the garden dwellest for ever,  
Unto thy voice all thy familiars tend:  
Exhalt it then, let thy sweet tunes persever,  
Teach me to hear, which taught'st me to commend.   Ecclesia. 

14  
O my dear Love, my soul's desired friend,  
If thou depart, or list away to fly,  
Be like to Roes, or lusty Hearts that wend  
And play upon the Mountains cheerfully,  
Where spices grow, sweet fumes, & all to please the eye.   
In summo felicitas.  
FINIS.