The Faerie Queene · Book I · Canto 1 12 (2/2)

Then gan they sprinckle all the posts with wine,

And made great feast to solemnize that day:

They all perfumde with frankincense divine,

And precious odours fetcht from far away,

That all the house did sweat with great aray:

And all the while sweete Musicke did apply

Her curious skill the warbling notes to play,

To drive away the dull Melancholy;

The whiles one sung a song of love and jollity.

During the which there was an heavenly noise

Heard sownd through all the Pallace pleasantly,

Like as it had bene many an Angels voice

Singing before th’eternall majesty,

In their trinall triplicities on hye:

Yett wist no creature whence that hevenly sweet

Proceeded, yet each one felt secretly

Himselfe thereby refte of his sences meet,

And ravished with rare impression in his sprite.

Great joy was made that day of young and old,

And solemne feast proclaymd throughout the land,

That their exceeding merth may not be told:

Suffice it heare by signes to understand

The usuall joyes at knitting of loves band.

Thrise happy man the knight himselfe did hold,

Possessed of his Ladies hart and hand;

And ever, when his eie did her behold,

His heart did seeme to melt in pleasures manifold.

Her joyous presence and sweet company

In full content he there did long enjoy;

Ne wicked envy, ne vile gealosy,

His deare delights were hable to annoy:

Yet, swimming in that sea of blisfull joy,

He nought forgott how he whilome had sworne,

In case he could that monstrous beast destroy,

Unto his Faery Queene backe to retourne;

The which he shortly did, and Una left to mourne.

Now, strike your sailes, yee jolly Mariners,

For we be come unto a quiet rode,

Where we must land some of our passengers,

And light this weary vessell of her lode:

Here she a while may make her safe abode,

Till she repaired have her tackles spent,

And wants supplide; And then againe abroad

On the long voiage whereto she is bent:

Well may she speede, and fairely finish her intent!