And with fine fingers cropt full feateously Of every sort which in that meadow grew To deck their bridegrooms' posies Against the bridal-day, which was not long: With that I saw two swans of goodly hue The snow which doth the top of Pindus strow Nor Jove himself, when he a swan would be Yet Leda was (they say) as white as he, So purely white they were That even the gentle stream, the which them barc, That shone as Heaven's light Against their bridal-day, which was not long; Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. Eftsoons the nymphs, which now had flowers their fill, Ran all in haste to see that silver brood As they came floating on the crystal flood; Whom when they saw, they stood amazed still Them seem'd they never saw a sight so fair To be begot of any earthly seed, But rather angels, or of angels' breed; Yet were they bred of summer's heat, they say, So fresh they seem'd as day, Even as their bridal-day, which was not long: Then forth they all out of their baskets drew That like old Peneus' waters they did seem When down along by pleasant Tempe's shore Scatter'd with flowers, through Thessaly they stream That they appear, through lilies' plenteous store, Like a bride's chamber-floor. Two of those nymphs meanwhile two garlands bound Their snowy foreheads therewithal they crown'd; Prepared against that day, Against their bridal-day, which was not long: Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. "Ye gentle birds! the world's fair ornament, And let fair Venus, that is queen of love, Let endless peace your steadfast hearts accord, Which may your foes confound, And make your joys redound Upon your bridal-day, which is not long: So ended she; and all the rest around To her redoubled that her undersong, Which said their bridal-day should not be long: So forth those joyous birds did pass along And all the fowl which in his flood did dwell And their best service lend Against their wedding-day, which was not long: At length they all to merry London came, There when they came whereas those bricky towers Next whereunto there stands a stately place, Of that great lord, which therein wont to dwell, Old woes, but joys to tell Against the bridal-day, which is not long: Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. Yet therein now doth lodge a noble peer, Great England's glory and the world's wide wonder, Whose dreadful name late thro' all Spain did thunder. And Hercules' two pillars standing near Did make to quake and fear: Fair branch of honour, flower of chivalry! And endless happiness of thine own name That through thy prowess and victorious arms To ages following, Upon the bridal-day, which is not long: Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. From those high towers this noble lord issuing Like radiant Hesper, when his golden hair In th' ocean billows he hath bathèd fair, Descended to the river's open viewing With a great train ensuing. Above the rest were goodly to be seen Two gentle knights of lovely face and feature, With gifts of wit and ornaments of nature Fit for so goodly stature, That like the twins of Jove they seem'd in sight They too, forth pacing to the river's side, Each one did make his bride Against their bridal-day, which is not long: Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song. |