37 'Seven centuries have passed, since it from bride To bride did first succeed; and though 'tis known From ancient lore, that gems much virtue hide, And that the emerald is the bridal stone: 38 'Though much renowned because it chastens loves, And will, when worn by the neglected wife, Show when her absent lord disloyal proves, By faintness, and a pale decay of life. 39 'Though emeralds serve as spies to jealous brides, Yet each compared to this does counsel keep; Like a false stone, the husband's falsehood hides, Or seems born blind, or feigns a dying sleep. 40 'With this take Orgo, as a better spy, Who may in all your kinder fears be sent To watch at court, if I deserve to die By making this to fade, and you lament.' 41 Had now an artful pencil Birtha drawn, With grief all dark, then straight with joy all light, He must have fancied first, in early dawn, A sudden break of beauty out of night. 42 Or first he must have marked what paleness fear, Like nipping frost, did to her visage bring; Then think he sees, in a cold backward year, A rosy morn begin a sudden spring. 43 Her joys, too vast to be contained 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? 44 'Or why do I, when I this plight embrace, Boldly aspire to take what you have given? But that your virtue has with angels place, And 'tis a virtue to aspire to heaven. 45 'And as towards heaven all travel on their knees, So I towards you, though love aspire, will move: And were you crowned, what could you better please Then awed obedience led by bolder love? 46 'If I forget the depth from whence I rise, Far from your bosom banished be my heart; Or claim a right by beauty to your eyes; Or proudly think my chastity desert. 47 '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 duty cancel with my life. 48 'And fruitfully, if heaven e'er 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 flowers she cannot hide. 49 'Orgo I so receive as I am taught By duty to esteem whate'er you love; And hope the joy he in this jewel brought Will luckier than his former triumphs prove. 50 'For though but twice he has approached my sight, He twice made haste to drown me in my tears: But now I am above his planet's spite, And as for sin beg pardon for my fears.' 51 Thus spake she: and with fixed, continued sight The Duke did all her bashful beauties view; Then they with kisses sealed their sacred plight, Like flowers, still sweeter as they thicker grew.