Epithalamium: OR A NUPTIAL SONG, WITH A NARRATIVE OF love's PROGRESS.  
Consecrated to the honoured fame of his much valued Friends Mr. Abraham Collen: AND Mrs. Abigail Rushout: The blessed Objects of this Triumphant Solemnity: To whom I wish a Life enduring continuance of this day's felicity, whilst I remain obliged to the Honour of Their especial favours, and rest their most humble Servant L. L.  Deus nobis haec otia fecit. 
Printed Anno Domini, MDCL.   

Epithalamium: OR, A nuptial SONG, with a Narrative of love's progress: Consecrated to the honoured fame of His much valued Friends, Mr. ABRAHAM Collen, and Mrs. ABIGAIL RUSHOUT, the blessed Objects of this Triumphant Solemnity: To whom I wish a Life enduring continuance of this day's felicity, Whilst I remain obliged to the Honour of Their especial favours, and rest their most humble Servant LEONARD LAURENCE.  
Shall Angels leave their glorious Orbs & sphere,  
And with the Gods vouchsafe to frolic here;  
Shall to the glory of this famous Day,  
So many Friends as Votaries, freely pay  
The tribute of their love, and represent  
Their souls in Courtship, wishing sweet content,  
With matchless pleasures, copiously to flow  
spring-tidings of bliss, till to a Sea they grow  
Of pure delight: (on which, whilst Zephyrs mild  
Engross the waves, like Venus' great with child:  
Her well-rigged Pinnace, trimmed with cambric Sails,  
And golden Anchors, wantons in the gales.)  
And I rest silent, as my thoughts were grown  
A lump of Ice, wrapped in the frigid Zone.  
No, love forbid, I e'er should perpetrate  
A crime so great, as not to celebrate  
This solemn festival with all the best,  
And choicest Honours lodged in my breast.  
For in this crystal Region, where the Sun,  
In each fair madam's eye most brightly burns.  
Should I remain congealed, and in such fires  
Not straight dissolve, and fountain forth desires:  
The World might judge (and soon rest satisfied,  
Since Ice will melt) my breast was petrefied:  
And fit for no expression: which conceit  
I'll vindicate: and show that I as great  
Respect, and honour, cordially intend,  
Without presumption, as a nearer friend.  
The thought of which inflames my soul with wishes,  
My fancy's fired by th' infusing Kisses  
Of yon illustrious Virgin, in whose eyes,  
Insconcest in Diamonds, a whole Army lies  
Of beauteous rhetoric, which might well persuade  
A flinty Atheist, Heaven to invade  
With obsecrations: that his power would please  
To crown that fair one, with perpetual ease.  
But here, methinks, I'm asked, what that I mean  
By this large Prologue; how I lay my scene:  
Or what these words imply, as Love and Wishes,  
Gods, Angels, Sphaers, content, and amorous Kisses.  
Why know theyare attributes, that do belong  
To perfect up this day a nuptial song:  
The which I consecrate unto a pair,  
Of Lovers chaste as is the crystal air:  
Whose generous souls like turtles symphatize,  
Whilst Love draws pictures in their amorous eyes:  
Whose draught, in time, may guide both her, and him,  
When to the life, they undertake to limb.  
At this the heaven's smile, th' armonious Sphaers  
As in their Orbs, move in my ravished ears,  
And with melodious Anthems, sweetly chime  
Delightful welcomes, to this wished for time:  
'Tis all gaudeamus, Lutes and Viols play:  
And all solemnize Hymen's holy day:  
Observable, even from the youthful prime,  
And infancy of long continuing time:  
When pregnant Nature pinned on Adam's sleeve,  
A pretty thing to play with, called Eve,  
Whom he embraced, and finding that the Bride,  
Was taken thence, e'en loged her by his side.  
The parallel, this day will make appear,  
The names but altered; such a Wedding's here;  
Ordained by virtuous Love, whose rule allows  
A sacred Hymen, to enroll their vows:  
Free from fantastic passion, which bereaves  
judgement of reason, and the soul deceives.  
'Tis Apish love, that by a subtle Art  
Flies through the eyes, and vultures on the heart:  
chameleon courtship, subject to the fate  
Of flashy Lightning, which expireth straight  
Flames of that Nature do not Maetor here,  
Sincere Affections solid are, and clear.  
For those that with a reverent fear approach,  
T' inflame their lamps at Hymen's sacred torch:  
Shall beacon forth to all the world their bright  
And splendent glory, which shall know no night.  
But all this while, where doth great Hymen stay,  
Step prithee Cupid, call the God away:  
For all things else in their decorum stand,  
Designed and ordered by thy mother's hand.  
He's only wanting, prithee therefore run,  
Thou shalt have sweetmeats when thou dost return.  
For than thou mayst at leisure freely sip  
Conserve of Roses, from each lady's lip.  
I have my wish, he's just arrived, the flame  
Of his bright Tapers, verifies the same.  
Our Bridegroom follows like a rising Sun:  
His chariot wheels like Titan's swiftly run:  
Who as he hurries through the crystal Globe  
To kiss his Thetis, in her sea-green Robe:  
Presents our Bridegroom: how his worth doth pace  
With active speed, his Fairest to embrace.  
Which that he may two spotless Virgins guide  
His welcome presence, where his matchless Bride  
(Like chaste Diana 'mongst her Nymphs) doth tend  
The wished for entrance, of so dear a friend,  
Whose blessed appearance doth delight her so,  
That in a trice a spring of Roses grow  
In her fresh cheeks: then sealing on her hand  
His morning thoughts, a while both wondering stand  
As extasised, with the extreme excess  
Of their united mutual happiness.  
Which rapture past, from her sweet lips he sups  
A dram of Nectar, and ripe cherries plucks.  
(Oh miracle of love! I can't remember,  
I ever saw such fruit in cold December.)  
Then takes his leave, and kissing of her hand  
Two of his train, that there appointed stand,  
Respectively their humble service tender,  
And with a kiss, receive his sweet surrender.  
What want we then? the nuptial God doth stay,  
Come sprightful bridemen, bring your charge away,  
Love's chariot's fitted, and attendant stays;  
The seats are trimmed with Rosemary and bays,  
The which ingenious Art hath verdant kept  
Spite winters rage, by tears that Roses wept.  
Behold, she moves! like Juno in her state,  
A troop of gallant Virgins on her wait.  
Conduct her gently then (Loves Ushers) and  
Resign her beauty to the honoured hand  
Of her dear Choice, who'll not fail or miss,  
To hand her in the chariot with a kiss.  
Cupid drive on, it is already time,  
Hark, Hark, the Angels, they all-in, do chime.  
Hold rain, thy Doves w'are at the Temple gate  
Descend our matchless pair with all their state  
And nuptial train: and summon then the Graces,  
For to direct them to their several places;  
Where while they sit, great Hymen we thee pray  
T' in-augurate this solemn marriage-day.  
And since so far accompanied theyare come,  
With smiling Venus, and her wanton son,  
Associated by the triumphant state  
Of Jove and Juno for to celebrate  
Those sacred rites, which their chaste vows enjoin,  
To be performed at thy holy shrine.  
Let all the odours which thy altars breathe  
A sacred requiem to their loves bequeathe.  
Crown them with Myrtle chaplets, and present  
Them with the treasures of all sweet content.  
Let no sad Omen, no alternate fate,  
The happy juncture of their hearts translate.  
May Loves sweet language evermore dispute  
All differences, which kisses still confute.  
And if perchance, there any question rise,  
Silence their tongues, and plead it with their eyes.  
Bless them with all thy chief delights, and blisses,  
And bless them in th' enjoyment of my wishes.  
So shall this day, the well penned Prologue prove  
Of their lives action, in the Scaens of love.  
These wishes heard, great Hymen now proceed,  
Perform thy office, by the Gods decreed:  
Their hands, their hearts, their souls and thoughts conjoin  
And bind them fast with thy religious twine.  
They both consent, and in their vows appeal  
To heaven, to witness, what their hearts do seal.  
Yet let those ties that shall confine and hold  
Their congruous loves, be wrought of purest gold:  
That so they may like gems, those lockets wear  
Not as constraining knots, that irksome are.  
Love's duty acted, every one hasts back,  
Where Ganymed presents them healing Sack:  
The Bridegroom in a rich impleated bowl,  
Commends a health to his espoused soul;  
Which she accepts, and as a pledge lets slip  
A Robe and ruby from her orient lip;  
Which scarce accomplished, see the Youngsters straight,  
As if all Tarquins, put her to a strait.  
Nor can her prayers prevail, although she begs  
It's for the garters that surround her legs:  
But those whose fortune could not reach so high,  
Snatch at the ribbons which her shoes do tie.  
The Virgins they as fast for recreation,  
Plunder the Bridegroom, of his visitation.  
And other fancies: which they multiply  
With their conceits: as in their fans they tie  
That regiment of knick-knacks: which as prize  
Now at the mercy of their usage lies.  
This battle over, they invent new sport,  
One tells a story how Loves-Queen did court  
Unkind Adonis: whilst her Mate cries fie,  
How was he bred, that could a Queen deny.  
The young men intermix, and act their part  
One vows h'hath lost, and there must find his heart.  
A second tells his Lady, that he spies  
Cupid discharge his arrows through her eyes.  
A third protests, that Juno, nor the graces,  
Could ever trip it as his Mrs. paces:  
Which to maintain, the music, he ordains,  
And with the Virgin danceth to their strains.  
A fourth collects fresh Flowers, another seeks  
A mine of Rubies, in his Madam's cheeks.  
All are employed, some kiss the bride's fair hand,  
Others observe how all things ordered stand.  
Whilst some applaud the bridegroom's happy fate.  
And give Encomiams to the marriage state.  
Meanwhile the tables are most richly disht  
With delicates, and if the Gods had wished  
To entertain their Loves, could not have been  
With greater state, and order served in.  
The Bridegroom's health goes round, which is replied  
With full brimed wishes, to his fairest Bride.  
The day, thus hastens, to another sphere,  
We leave the table, wearied with great cheer.  
The evening falls, Illustrious Sol retires,  
And in his room commands less sparkling fires:  
Night in her Love-hood, having over-drawn  
With tissued cypress Heavens etherial Lawn.  
Enters (the friendly crowd) attired in Jet,  
With glistering oes, and spangles richly set.  
And whispers Venus; who straight steps aside,  
And tells the errand, to the blushing Bride,  
Who apprehends it; and without delay,  
The signal given, nimbly trips away  
Unto love's rendezvous. The Virgin's trace  
Her graceful steps; and follow her apace.  
Amongst which train, some few grave Matrons press,  
Who while th' unrobe her, preach the happiness  
Of those rare pleasures, and delicious sweets,  
experienced by them in th●Nuptiall sheets.  
Revested then in her last vestal tires,  
The non plus ultra of her Virgin fires:  
They with good counsel guide her to the bed,  
(Where (God be with't) adieu a maidenhead.)  
Where hardly laid, the Bridegroom gently knocks,  
The door some Virgin, with a smile, unlocks:  
Saluting all he enters, and apace  
Hies to the bed, his Fairest to embrace;  
And e'er the Virgins are aware, undressed;  
He by the side of his dear Love doth rest,  
Who like a Saint doth lie, the fairy Queen  
Was in her night clothes ne'er so pretty seen.  
Th' unruly troop of Youngsters, fol'wing, throng:  
And tax the Ladies of a mighty wrong,  
In so transporting, secretly, the Bride  
Without their knowledge, ere it was espied:  
Which they excuse with smiles, and then incite  
Them all to go, and bid the Bride good night:  
Which they perform, each pouring forth his wishes;  
And so retreat, taking their leaves with kisses.  
The room now cleared, our Lover he invites  
His pretty Consort to unknown delights:  
She not acquainted with the compliment,  
Seeks, with her sighing Rheth'rique, to preventsa  
His forward will, and begs that, as a Maid,  
He'll not presume her honour to invade.  
He pleads 'tis lawful, by the God's decree,  
She argues still, and craves repreeved to be:  
Meanwhile he takes her in his amorous arms,  
And having whispered secretly some charms,  
The magic works: and by blind loves black art,  
I know not how, hath seized him of her heart.  
With which rich jewel, I will leave him blessed,  
And recommend them to their private rest.  
Only one thing they may please to remember,  
It's nine months' just, twixt this and next September.  
FINIS.