214
GONDIBERT,
55.
Her joys (too vast to be contain'd in speech)
Thus she a little spake, Why stoop you down,
My plighted Lord, to lowly Birtha's reach,
Since Rhodalind would lift you to a Crown?
Her joys (too vast to be contain'd in speech)
Thus she a little spake, Why stoop you down,
My plighted Lord, to lowly Birtha's reach,
Since Rhodalind would lift you to a Crown?
56.
Or why do I, when I this plight imbrace,
Boldly aspire to take what you have given?
But that your virtue has with Angels place,
And 'tis a virtue to aspire at Heav'n.
Or why do I, when I this plight imbrace,
Boldly aspire to take what you have given?
But that your virtue has with Angels place,
And 'tis a virtue to aspire at Heav'n.
57.
And as tow'rds Heav'n all travel on their Knees,
So I tow'rds you, though Love aspire, will move:
And were you Crown'd, what could you better please
Than aw'd obedience led by bolder Love?
And as tow'rds Heav'n all travel on their Knees,
So I tow'rds you, though Love aspire, will move:
And were you Crown'd, what could you better please
Than aw'd obedience led by bolder Love?
58.
If I forget the depth from whence I rise,
Far from your bosom banish'd be my heart;
Or claim a right by beautie to your Eyes,
Or proudly think my chastitie desert.
If I forget the depth from whence I rise,
Far from your bosom banish'd be my heart;
Or claim a right by beautie to your Eyes,
Or proudly think my chastitie desert.
59.
But thus ascending from your humble Maid
To be your plighted Bride, and then your Wife,
Will be a Debt that shall be hourly paid,
Till Time my dutie cancel with my life.
But thus ascending from your humble Maid
To be your plighted Bride, and then your Wife,
Will be a Debt that shall be hourly paid,
Till Time my dutie cancel with my life.
60.
And fruitfully if Heav'n ere make me bring
Your Image to the World, you then my pride
No more shall blame, than you can tax the Spring
for boasting of those Flowr's she cannot hide.
And fruitfully if Heav'n ere make me bring
Your Image to the World, you then my pride
No more shall blame, than you can tax the Spring
for boasting of those Flowr's she cannot hide.
61.
Orgo, I so receive as I am taught
By dutie to esteem what ere you love;
And hope the joy he in this Jewel brought,
Will luckier than his former triumphs prove.
Orgo, I so receive as I am taught
By dutie to esteem what ere you love;
And hope the joy he in this Jewel brought,
Will luckier than his former triumphs prove.
