Page:Hero and Leander - Marlowe and Chapman (1821).pdf/182

 Brought forth with joy the thickest part of night, When the sweet nuptial song that us'd to cite All to their rest, was by Phemonöe sung: First Delphian prophetess, whose graces sprung Out of the Muses:—well she sung before The bride into her chamber, at which door A matron and a torch-bearer did stand: A painted box of comfits in her hand The matron held, and so did other some That compass'd round the honour'd nuptial room. The custom was that every maid did wear, During her maidenhead, a silken sphere About her waist, above her inmost weed, Knit with Minerva's knot, and that was freed By the fair bridegroom on the marriage night, With many ceremonies of delight: And yet eternis'd Hymen's tender bride, To suffer it dissolv'd, so sweetly cry'd. The maids that heard, so lov'd and did adore her, They wish'd with all their hearts to suffer for her. So had the matrons, that with comfits stood About the chamber, such affectionate blood,