Page:Hero and Leander - Marlowe and Chapman (1821).pdf/179

 First gold-lock'd Hymen did to church repair, Like a quick off'ring burn'd in flames of hair. And after, with a virgin firmament, The godhead-proving bride attended went Before them all, she look'd in her command, As if form-giving Cypria's silver hand Gript all their beauties, and crush'd out one flame; She blush'd to see how beauty overcame The thoughts of all men. Next before her went Five lovely children, deck'd with ornament Of her sweet colours, bearing torches by, For light was held a happy augury Of generation, whose efficient right Is nothing else but to produce to light. The odd disparent number they did choose, To show the union married loves should use, Since in two equal parts it will not sever, But the midst holds one to rejoin it ever, As common to both parts: men therefore deem, That equal number gods do not esteem, Being authors of sweet peace and unity, But pleasing to th' infernal empery, Under whose ensigns Wars and Discords fight, Since an even number you may disunite