'Tis said from smooth-faced ingle train (Anointed bridegroom!) hardly fain Hast e'er refrained; now do refrain! O Hymen Hymenæus io, 140 O Hymen Hymenæus!
We know that naught save licit rites Be known to thee, but wedded wights No more deem lawful such delights. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 145 O Hymen Hymenæus.
Thou too, O Bride, whatever dare Thy groom, of coy rebuff beware, Lest he to find elsewhither fare. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 150 O Hymen Hymenæus.
Lo! here the house of high degree Thy husband's puissant home to be, Which ever shall obey thy gree. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 155 O Hymen Hymenæus!
Till Time betide when eld the hoar Thy head and temples trembling o'er Make nod to all things evermore. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 160 O Hymen Hymenæus.
O'erstep with omen meetest meet The threshold-stone thy golden feet Up, past the polisht panels fleet. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 165 O Hymen Hymenæus.
Within bestrewn thy bridegroom see On couch of Tyrian cramoisy All imminent awaiting thee. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 170 O Hymen Hymenæus.
For in his breast not less than thine Burn high the flames that deepest shrine, Yet his the lowe far deeper lien. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 175 O Hymen Hymenæus.
Let fall the maid's soft arms, thou fair Boy purple-hem'd: now be thy care Her bridegroom's couch she seek and share. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 180 O Hymen Hymenæus.
Ye wives time-tried to husbands wed, Well-known for chastity inbred, Dispose the virginette a-bed. O Hymen Hymenæus io, 185 O Hymen Hymenæus.
Groom, now 'tis meet thou hither pace, With bride in genial bed to blend, For sheenly shines her flowery face Where the white chamomiles contend 190 With poppies blushing red.
Yet bridegroom (So may Godhead deign Help me!) nowise in humbler way Art fair, nor Venus shall disdain Thy charms, but look! how wanes the day: 195 Forward, nor loiter more!
No longer loitering makest thou, Now comest thou. May Venus good Aid thee when frankly takest thou Thy wishes won, nor true Love woo'd 200 Thou carest to conceal.
Of Afric's wolds and wilds each grain, Or constellations glistening, First reckon he that of the twain To count alone were fain to bring 205 The many thousand joys.
Play as ye please: soon prove ye deft At babying babes,--'twere ill design'd A name thus ancient should be left Heirless, but issue like of kind 210 Engendered aye should be.