Round as the moon at full, and full as bright. Because the parents of chaste Eucharis Exceeding Hymen's so, might cross their bliss; And as the world rewards deserts, that law Cannot assist with force; so when they saw 270 Their daughter safe, take vantage of their own, Praise Hymen's valour much, nothing bestown; Hymen must leave the virgins in a grove Far off from Athens, and go first to prove, If to restore them all with fame and life, He should enjoy his dearest as his wife. This told to all the maids, the most agree: The riper sort, knowing what 'tis to be The first mouth of a news so far derived, And that to hear and bear news brave folks lived. 280 As being a carriage special hard to bear Occurrents, these occurrents being so dear, They did with grace protest, they were content T' accost their friends with all their compliment, For Hymen's good; but to incur their harm, There he must pardon them. This wit went warm To Adolesche's[101] brain, a nymph born high, Made all of voice and fire, that upwards fly: Her heart and all her forces' nether train Climb'd to her tongue, and thither fell her brain, 290 Since it could go no higher; and it must go; All powers she had, even her tongue, did so: In spirit and quickness she much joy did take, And loved her tongue, only for quickness' sake; And she would haste and tell. The rest all stay: Hymen goes one, the nymph another way; And what became of her I'll tell at last: Yet take her visage now;--moist-lipped, long-faced, Thin like an iron wedge, so sharp and tart, As 'twere of purpose made to cleave Love's heart: 300 Well were this lovely beauty rid of her. And Hymen did at Athens now prefer His welcome suit, which he with joy aspired: A hundred princely youths with him retired To fetch the nymphs; chariots and music went; And home they came: heaven with applauses rent. The nuptials straight proceed, whiles all the town, Fresh in their joys, might do them most renown. First, gold-locked Hymen did to church repair, Like a quick offering burned in flames of hair; 310 And after, with a virgin firmament The godhead-proving bride attended went Before them all: she looked in her command, As if form-giving Cypria's silver hand Gripped all their beauties, and crushed out one flame; She blushed to see how beauty overcame The thoughts of all men. Next, before her went Five lovely children, decked with ornament Of her sweet colours, bearing torches by; For light was held a happy augury 320 Of generation, whose efficient right Is nothing else but to produce to light. The odd disparent number they did choose, To show the union married loves should use,