On her soft couch uneasily she lay: The lumpish husband snored away the night, 420 Till coughs awaked him near the morning light. What then he did, I'll not presume to tell, Nor if she thought herself in heav'n or hell: Honest and dull in nuptial bed they lay, Till the bell tolled, and all arose to pray. 425 Were it by forceful destiny decreed, Or did from chance, or nature's power proceed; Or that some star, with aspect kind to love, Shed its selectest influence from above; Whatever was the cause, the tender dame 430 Felt the first motions of an infant flame; Received th' impressions of the love-sick squire, And wasted in the soft infectious fire. Ye fair, draw near, let May's example move Your gentle minds to pity those who love! 435 Had some fierce tyrant in her stead been found, The poor adorer sure had hanged, or drowned: But she, your sex's mirrour, free from pride, Was much too meek to prove a homicide.[41] But to my tale: Some sages[42] have defined 440 Pleasure the sov'reign bliss of human-kind: Our knight (who studied much, we may suppose) Derived his high philosophy from those; For, like a prince, he bore the vast expense Of lavish pomp, and proud magnificence: 445 His house was stately, his retinue gay, Large was his train, and gorgeous his array. His spacious garden made to yield to none, Was compassed round with walls of solid stone; Priapus could not half describe the grace 450 (Though god of gardens) of this charming place: A place to tire the rambling wits of France In long descriptions, and exceed romance: Enough to shame the gentlest bard that sings Of painted meadows, and of purling springs.[43] 455 Full in the centre of the flow'ry ground, } A crystal fountain spread its streams around, } The fruitful banks with verdant laurels crowned: } About this spring, if ancient fame say true, The dapper elves their moonlight sports pursue: 460 Their pigmy king, and little fairy queen,[44] In circling dances gambolled on the green, While tuneful sprites a merry concert made, And airy music warbled through the shade. Hither the noble knight would oft repair, 465 (His scene of pleasure, and peculiar care) For this he held it dear, and always bore The silver key that locked the garden door. To this sweet place in summer's sultry heat, He used from noise and bus'ness to retreat; 470 And here in dalliance spend the live-long day, _Solus cum sola_, with his sprightly May. For whate'er work was undischarged a-bed,