Whose worth I may admire, not dare to speak. She's so complete, that her much honoured state Gives Fortune Virtue, makes Virtue fortunate; As one in whom three rare mix'd virtues sit Seen seldom joinèd, Fortune, Beauty, Wit; To this choice Lady and to her dear state All hearts do open, as alone this gate; She only drives away dull Saturn hence, She whom to praise I need her eloquence! This speech thus ended, presently Saturn issued from forth the port, and curiously beholding the Countess, spake thus:-- Peace! stay, it is, it is, it is even she! Hail happy honours of Nobility! Did never Saturn see, or ne'er see such? What should I style you? what choice phrase may touch, Or hopes in words such wondrous grace to suit, Whose worth doth want an equal attribute. Let never mortal wondering silence break, Since to express you Gods themselves must speak. Sweet glories of your sex, know that your eyes Makes mild the roughest planet of the skies. Even we, the Lord that sits on ebon thrones, Circled with sighs and discontented groans, Are forced at your fair presence to relent, At your approach all Saturn's force is spent. Now breaks my bands, now sadness leaves their towers, Now all are turn'd to Flora's smiling bowers; Then now give way, now is my bondage due Only to those who safely envy you. Hence, solitary Beldam, sink to-night, I give up all to joy, and to delight. And now pass on, all-happy-making dame! O could you but imagine what a flame Of many joys now in their bosoms shine Who count it their dear'st honour to be thine, You would aver, to number[611] them who seeks Must sure invent some new arithmetics, For who to cast their reckoning takes in hand Had need for counters take the ocean-sand. Their service is your right, your love their due Who only love themselves for loving you. Their palace waits you with so hearty gate Men cannot utter nor Gods scarce relate. Then passed the whole troop to the house, until the Countess had mounted the stairs to the great chamber; on the top of which, Merimna, having changed her habit all to white, met her, and, whilst a consort softly played, spake thus:--