Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/165

 EDMUND SPENSER

And generation goodly dost enlarge,

End me thy will t'effect our wishfull vow,

And the chast wombe informe with timely seed

That may our comfort breed:

Till which we cease our hopefull hap to sing;

Ne let the woods us answcre, nor our Eccho ring.

And thou, great Juno' which with awful might

The lawes of wedlock still dost patronize;

And the religion of the faith first plight

With sacred rites hast taught to solemnize;

And eeke for comfort often called art

Of women in their smart,

Eternally bind thou this lovely band,

And all thy blessings unto us impart.

And thou, glad Genius' in whose gentle hand

The bridalc bowre and geniall bed remaine,

Without blemish or staine;

And the sweet pleasures of theyr loves delight

With secret ayde doest succour and supply,

Till they bring forth the fruitfull progeny;

Send us the timely fruit of this same night.

And thou, fayrc Hebe' and thou, Hymen free'

Grant that it may so be.

Til which we cease your further praysc to sing;

Ne any woods shall answer, nor your Eccho ring.

And ye high heavens, the temple of the gods, In which a thousand torches flaming bright Doe burne, that to us wretched earthly clods In dreadful darknesse lend desired light And all ye powers which in the same rcmayne, More then we men can fayne!

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