Page:Hesperides Vol 1.djvu/44

Rh When laurel spirts i'th' fire, and when the hearth Smiles to itself, and gilds the roof with mirth; When up the thyrse is rais'd, and when the sound Of sacred orgies flies, a round, a round. When the rose reigns, and locks with ointments shine, Let rigid Cato read these lines of mine.

Round, a rustic dance. Cato, see Martial, x. 17, quoted in Note.

Droop, droop no more, or hang the head, Ye roses almost withered; Now strength and newer purple get, Each here declining violet. O primroses! let this day be A resurrection unto ye; And to all flowers ally'd in blood, Or sworn to that sweet sisterhood: For health on Julia's cheek hath shed Claret and cream commingled; And those her lips do now appear As beams of coral, but more clear.

Beams, perhaps here = branches: but cp. 440.

Let us, though late, at last, my Silvia, wed, And loving lie in one devoted bed.