Chapter 13 12
Shee disappeard, and left me dark, I wakd
To find her, or for ever to deploy
Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure: [ 480 ]
When out of hope, behold her, not farr off,
Such as I saw her in my dream, adorned
With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow
To make her amiable: On she came,
Led by her Heavnly Maker, though unseen, [ 485 ]
And guided by his voice, nor uninformed
Of nuptial Sanctitie and marriage Rites:
Grace was in all her steps, Heavn in her Eye,
In every gesture dignitie and love.
I overjoyed could not forbear aloud. [ 490 ]
This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfilled
Thy words, Creator bounteous and benigne,
Giver of all things faire, but fairest this
Of all thy gifts, nor enviest. I now see
Bone of my Bone, Flesh of my Flesh, my Self [ 495 ]
Before me; Woman is her Name, of Man
Extracted; for this cause he shall forgoe
Father and Mother, and to his Wife adhere;
And they shall be one Flesh, one Heart, one Soul.
She heard me thus, and though divinely brought, [ 500 ]
Yet Innocence and Virgin Modestie,
Her vertue and the conscience of her worth,
That would be wood, and not unsought be won,
Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired,
The more desirable, or to say all, [ 505 ]
Nature her self, though pure of sinful thought,
Wrought in her so, that seeing me, she turned;
I followed her, she what was Honor knew,
And with obsequious Majestie approvd
My pleaded reason. To the Nuptial Bowre [ 510 ]
I led her blushing like the Morn: all Heavn,
And happy Constellations on that hour
Shed thir selectest influence; the Earth
Gave sign of gratulation, and each Hill;
Joyous the Birds; fresh Gales and gentle Aires [ 515 ]
Whispered it to the Woods, and from thir wings
Flung Rose, flung Odours from the spicie Shrub,
Disporting, till the amorous Bird of Night
Sung Spousal, and bid haste the Eevning Starr
On his Hill top, to light the bridal Lamp. [ 520 ]