@3Flowers and good wishes Flora doth present, Sweet flowers, the ceremonious ornament Of maiden marriage, Beauty figuring, And blooming youth; which though we careless fling About this sacred place, let none profane Think that these fruits from common hills are ta'en, Or vulgar vallies which do subject lie To winter's wrath and cold mortality. But these are hallowed and immortal flowers With Flora's hands gathered from Flora's bowers. Such are her presents, endless as her love, And such for ever may this night's joy prove.@1 Zeph. @3For ever endless may this night's joy prove! So echoes Zephyrus the friend of Love, Whose aid Venus implores when she doth bring Into the naked world the green-leaved spring. When of the sun's warm beams the nets we weave That can the stubborn'st heart with love deceive. That Queen of Beauty and Desire by me Breathes gently forth this bridal prophecy: Faithful and fruitful shall these bedmates prove, Blest in their fortunes, honoured in their love.@1 Flor. @3All grace this night, and, Sylvans, so must you, Off'ring your marriage song with changes new.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FIDDLING WOOD by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET OLD MEN ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN, MURRAY, KENTUCKY by JAMES GALVIN OLD OSAWATOMIE by CARL SANDBURG ON THE ROAD TO CHORRERA by ARLO BATES IMITATION OF POPE: A COMPLIMENT TO THE LADIES by WILLIAM BLAKE AN ANCIENT PROPHECY by PHILIP FRENEAU THE RUNES ON WELAND'S SWORD by RUDYARD KIPLING |