Page:Pleasures of matrimony displayed.pdf/8

8 The bridemaid hastens to the bride's ehamaber, and there finds her washed, breathing nothing but efſence and jessamine, and her fine holland smock ready to put on; so that being dressed in a trice, she appears more like an angel than like a mortal.- She is scarcely dressed, when the bridegroom comes into her chamber, with subm five knees, adores his earthly deity, and kisses the lillies of her white hands, and sips ambrofial nectar from her lips, and then conducts her to the room of state, where they both stand to welcome their invited guests. And fare this müst yield him much pleasure.

Now, all things being ready, they take coach, environed by a great crowd of spectators, of which not one of them but must. say something There's a well-matched couple, says one. There's a lovely couple, says another. There will be sweet doing betwixt them to-night, says a third.- And thus the rabble run along, till the church- doors are shut, and keep them from coning any farther. Then the knot is luckily tied which can never be undone, but by the death of one of them. And therefore, after the cerenmony of," I John, take thee Joan, to be my wedded wife; and I Joan, take thee John," c. they go from church again, and first receive the joy of the beggars, the bridegroom, for the wedding, throwing cut