Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/159

 EDMUND SPENSER

Then would ye wonder, and her prayses sing,

That al the woods should answer, and your echo ring.

Open the temple gates unto my love,

Open them wide that she may enter in,

And all the postes adorne as doth behove,

And all the pillours deck with girlands trim,

For to receyvc this Saynt with honour dew,

That commeth in to you.

With trembling steps, and humble reverence,

She commeth in, before th* Almighties view,

Of her ye virgins learne obedience,

When so yc come into those holy places,

To humble your proud faces:

Biing her up to th' high altar, that she may

The sacred ceremonies there partake,

The which do endlcsse matrimony make;

And let the roring Oigans loudly play

The praises of the Lord in lively notes;

The whiles, with hollow throates,

The Choristers the joyous Anthemc sing,

That al the woods may answcre, and their eccho ring

Behold, whiles she before the altar stands, Hearing the holy priest that to her speakes, And blesseth her with his two happy hands, How the red roses flush up in her cheekes, And the pure snow, with goodly vcrmill stayne Like crimsin dyde in grayne: That even th 7 Angels, which continually About the sacred Altare doe remaine,

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