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 The saint to which the most he prays And offers incense nights and days, The lady of the lobster is, Whose foot-pace he doth stroke and kiss; And humbly chives of saffron brings For his most cheerful offerings. When, after these, h'as paid his vows He lowly to the altar bows; And then he dons the silk-worm's shed, Like a Turk's turban on his head, And reverently departeth thence, Hid in a cloud of frankincense, And by the glow-worm's light well guided, Goes to the feast that's now provided.

Halcyon, king-fisher. Saint Tit, etc., see Note. Mab's-state, Mab's chair of state. Bruckel'd, begrimed. Cockal, a game played with four huckle-bones. Codlin, an apple. Fetuous, feat, neat. Watchet, pale blue. Hatch'd, inlaid. Bent, bent grass. Nits, nuts. The lady of the lobster, part of the lobster's apparatus for digestion. Foot-pace, a mat. Chives, shreds.

My muse in meads has spent her many hours, Sitting, and sorting several sorts of flowers To make for others garlands, and to set On many a head here many a coronet; But, amongst all encircled here, not one Gave her a day of coronation, Till you, sweet mistress, came and interwove A laurel for her, ever young as love— You first of all crown'd her: she must of due Render for that a crown of life to you.