Then from their breathing souls the sweets repair To scent the skies, and purge the unwholesome air: Joy spreads the heart, and, with a general song, Spring issues out, and leads the jolly months along.

In that sweet season, as in bed I lay, 20 And sought in sleep to pa.s.s the night away, I turn'd my weary side, but still in vain, Though full of youthful health, and void of pain: Cares I had none, to keep me from my rest, For love had never enter'd in my breast; I wanted nothing fortune could supply, Nor did she slumber till that hour deny.

I wonder'd then, but after found it true, Much joy had dried away the balmy dew: Seas would be pools, without the brushing air 30 To curl the waves; and sure some little care Should weary nature so, to make her want repair.

When Chanticleer the second watch had sung, Scorning the scorner sleep, from bed I sprung; And dressing, by the moon, in loose array, Pa.s.s'd out in open air, preventing day, And sought a goodly grove, as fancy led my way.

Straight as a line in beauteous order stood Of oaks unshorn a venerable wood; Fresh was the gra.s.s beneath, and every tree, 40 At distance planted in a due degree, Their branching arms in air with equal s.p.a.ce Stretch'd to their neighbours with a long embrace: And the new leaves on every bough were seen, Some ruddy colour'd, some of lighter green.

The painted birds, companions of the spring, Hopping from spray to spray, were heard to sing.

Both eyes and ears received a like delight, Enchanting music, and a charming sight.

On Philomel I fix'd my whole desire, 50 And listen'd for the queen of all the quire; Fain would I hear her heavenly voice to sing; And wanted yet an omen to the spring.

Attending long in vain, I took the way Which through a path but scarcely printed lay; In narrow mazes oft it seem'd to meet, And look'd as lightly press'd by fairy feet.

Wandering I walk'd alone, for still methought To some strange end so strange a path was wrought: At last it led me where an arbour stood, 60 The sacred receptacle of the wood: This place unmark'd, though oft I walk'd the green, In all my progress I had never seen: And seized at once with wonder and delight, Gazed all around me, new to the transporting sight.

'Twas bench'd with turf, and goodly to be seen, The thick young gra.s.s arose in fresher green: The mound was newly made, no sight could pa.s.s Betwixt the nice part.i.tions of the gra.s.s, The well-united sods so closely lay; 70 And all around the shades defended it from day; For sycamores with eglantine were spread, A hedge about the sides, a covering overhead.

And so the fragrant brier was wove between, The sycamore and flowers were mixed with green, That nature seem'd to vary the delight, And satisfied at once the smell and sight.

The master workman of the bower was known Through fairy-lands, and built for Oberon; Who twining leaves with such proportion drew, 80 They rose by measure, and by rule they grew; No mortal tongue can half the beauty tell; For none but hands divine could work so well.

Both roof and sides were like a parlour made, A soft recess, and a cool summer shade; The hedge was set so thick, no foreign eye The persons placed within it could espy; But all that pa.s.s'd without with ease was seen, As if nor fence nor tree was placed between.

'Twas border'd with a field; and some was plain 90 With gra.s.s, and some was sow'd with rising grain.

That (now the dew with spangles deck'd the ground) A sweeter spot of earth was never found.

I look'd, and look'd, and still with new delight; Such joy my soul, such pleasures fill'd my sight; And the fresh eglantine exhaled a breath, Whose odours were of power to raise from death.

Nor sullen discontent, nor anxious care, Even though brought thither, could inhabit there: But thence they fled as from their mortal foe; 100 For this sweet place could only pleasure know.

Thus as I mused, I cast aside my eye, And saw a medlar-tree was planted nigh.

The spreading branches made a goodly show, And full of opening blooms was every bough: A goldfinch there I saw, with gaudy pride Of painted plumes, that hopp'd from side to side, Still pecking as she pa.s.s'd; and still she drew The sweets from every flower, and suck'd the dew: Sufficed at length, she warbled in her throat, 110 And tuned her voice to many a merry note, But indistinct, and neither sweet nor clear, Yet such as soothed my soul, and pleased my ear.

Her short performance was no sooner tried, When she I sought, the nightingale, replied: So sweet, so shrill, so variously she sung, That the grove echoed, and the valleys rung; And I so ravish'd with her heavenly note, I stood entranced, and had no room for thought, But all o'er-power'd with ecstasy of bliss, 120 Was in a pleasing dream of paradise.

At length I waked, and looking round the bower, Search'd every tree, and pry'd on every flower, If any where by chance I might espy The rural poet of the melody; For still methought she sung not far away: At last I found her on a laurel spray.

Close by my side she sat, and fair in sight, Full in a line, against her opposite; Where stood with eglantine the laurel twined; 130 And both their native sweets were well conjoin'd.

On the green bank I sat, and listen'd long; (Sitting was more convenient for the song): Nor till her lay was ended could I move, But wish'd to dwell for ever in the grove.

Only methought the time too swiftly pa.s.s'd, And every note I fear'd would be the last.

My sight and smell, and hearing were employ'd, And all three senses in full gust enjoy'd.

And what alone did all the rest surpa.s.s, 140 The sweet possession of the fairy place; Single, and conscious to myself alone Of pleasures to the excluded world unknown: Pleasures which nowhere else were to be found, And all Elysium in a spot of ground.

Thus while I sat intent to see and hear, And drew perfumes of more than vital air, All suddenly I heard the approaching sound Of vocal music on the enchanted ground: A host of saints it seem'd, so full the quire; 150 As if the bless'd above did all conspire To join their voices, and neglect the lyre.

At length there issued from the grove behind A fair a.s.sembly of the female kind: A train less fair, as ancient fathers tell, Seduced the sons of heaven to rebel.

I pa.s.s their form, and every charming grace, Less than an angel would their worth debase: But their attire, like liveries of a kind, All rich and rare, is fresh within my mind. 160 In velvet white as snow the troop was gown'd, The seams with sparkling emeralds set around; Their hoods and sleeves the same; and purfled o'er With diamonds, pearls, and all the shining store Of eastern pomp: their long descending train, With rubies edged, and sapphires, swept the plain: High on their heads, with jewels richly set, Each lady wore a radiant coronet.

Beneath the circles, all the quire was graced With chaplets green on their fair foreheads placed: 170 Of laurel some, of woodbine many more; And wreaths of Agnus castus[75] others bore; These last, who with those virgin crowns were dress'd, Appear'd in higher honour than the rest.

They danced around: but in the midst was seen A lady of a more majestic mien; By stature, and by beauty mark'd their sovereign queen

She in the midst began with sober grace; Her servants' eyes were fix'd upon her face; And as she moved or turn'd, her motions view'd, 180 Her measures kept, and step by step pursued.

Methought she trod the ground with greater grace, With more of G.o.dhead shining in her face; And as in beauty she surpa.s.s'd the quire, So, n.o.bler than the rest, was her attire.

A crown of ruddy gold enclosed her brow, Plain without pomp, and rich without a show: A branch of Agnus castus in her hand She bore aloft (her sceptre of command); Admired, adored by all the circling crowd, 190 For wheresoe'er she turn'd her face, they bow'd: And as she danced, a roundelay she sung, In honour of the laurel, ever young: She raised her voice on high, and sung so clear, The fawns came scudding from the groves to hear: And all the bending forest lent an ear.

At every close she made, the attending throng Replied, and bore the burden of the song: So just, so small, yet in so sweet a note, It seem'd the music melted in the throat. 200

Thus dancing on, and singing as they danced, They to the middle of the mead advanced, Till round my arbour a new ring they made, And footed it about the sacred shade.

O'erjoy'd to see the jolly troops so near, But somewhat awed, I shook with holy fear; Yet not so much, but what I noted well Who did the most in song or dance excel.

Not long I had observed, when from afar I heard a sudden symphony of war; 210 The neighing coursers, and the soldiers cry, And sounding trumps, that seem'd to tear the sky: I saw soon after this, behind the grove From whence the ladies did in order move, Come issuing out in arms a warrior train, That like a deluge pour'd upon the plain; On barbed steeds they rode in proud array, Thick as the college of the bees in May, When swarming o'er the dusky fields they fly, New to the flowers, and intercept the sky, 220 So fierce they drove, their coursers were so fleet, That the turf trembled underneath their feet.

To tell their costly furniture were long, The summer's day would end before the song: To purchase but the tenth of all their store, Would make the mighty Persian monarch poor.

Yet what I can, I will; before the rest The trumpets issued, in white mantles dress'd, A numerous troop, and all their heads around With chaplets green of cerrial-oak[76] were crown'd, 230 And at each trumpet was a banner bound; Which, waving in the wind, displayed at large Their master's coat of arms, and knightly charge.

Broad were the banners, and of snowy hue, A purer web the silk-worm never drew.

The chief about their necks the scutcheons wore, With orient pearls and jewels powder'd o'er: Broad were their collars too, and every one Was set about with many a costly stone.

Next these, of kings-at-arms a goodly train 240 In proud array came prancing o'er the plain: Their cloaks were cloth of silver mix'd with gold, And garlands green around their temples roll'd: Rich crowns were on their royal scutcheons placed, With sapphires, diamonds, and with rubies graced: And as the trumpets their appearance made, So these in habits were alike array'd; But with a pace more sober, and more slow; And twenty, rank in rank, they rode a-row.

The pursuivants came next, in number more; 250 And, like the heralds, each his scutcheon bore: Clad in white velvet all their troop they led, With each an oaken chaplet on his head.

Nine royal knights in equal rank succeed, Each warrior mounted on a fiery steed; In golden armour glorious to behold; The rivets of their arms were nail'd with gold.

Their surcoats of white ermine fur were made; With cloth of gold between, that cast a glittering shade.

The trappings of their steeds were of the same; 260 The golden fringe even set the ground on flame, And drew a precious trail: a crown divine Of laurel did about their temples twine.

Three henchmen were for every knight a.s.sign'd, All in rich livery clad, and of a kind; White velvet, but unshorn, for cloaks they wore, And each within his hand a truncheon bore: The foremost held a helm of rare device; A prince's ransom would not pay the price.

The second bore the buckler of his knight, 270 The third of cornel-wood a spear upright, Headed with piercing steel, and polish'd bright.

Like to their lords their equipage was seen, And all their foreheads crown'd with garlands green.

And after these came, arm'd with spear and shield, A host so great as cover'd all the field: And all their foreheads, like the knights before, With laurels ever-green were shaded o'er, Or oak, or other leaves of lasting kind, Tenacious of the stem, and firm against the wind. 280 Some in their hands, beside the lance and shield, The boughs of woodbine, or of hawthorn held, Or branches for their mystic emblems took, Of palm, of laurel, and of cerrial-oak.

Thus marching to the trumpet's lofty sound, Drawn in two lines adverse they wheel'd around, And in the middle meadow took their ground.

Among themselves the tourney they divide, In equal squadrons ranged on either side.

Then turn'd their horses' heads, and man to man, 290 And steed to steed opposed, the jousts began.

They lightly set their lances in the rest, And, at the sign, against each other press'd: They met. I sitting at my ease beheld The mix'd events, and fortunes of the field.

Some broke their spears, some tumbled horse and man, And round the field the lighten'd coursers ran.

An hour and more, like tides, in equal sway They rush'd, and won by turns, and lost the day: At length the nine (who still together held) 300 Their fainting foes to shameful flight compell'd, And with resistless force o'er-ran the field.

Thus, to their fame, when finish'd was the fight, The victors from their lofty steeds alight: Like them dismounted all the warlike train, And two by two proceeded o'er the plain, Till to the fair a.s.sembly they advanced, Who near the secret arbour sung and danced.

The ladies left their measures at the sight, To meet the chiefs returning from the fight, 310 And each with open arms embraced her chosen knight.

Amid the plain a spreading laurel stood, The grace and ornament of all the wood: That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat: Her leafy arms with such extent were spread.

So near the clouds was her aspiring head, That hosts of birds, that wing the liquid air, Perch'd in the boughs, had nightly lodging there: And flocks of sheep beneath the shade from far 320 Might hear the rattling hail, and wintry war; From heaven's inclemency here found retreat, Enjoy'd the cool, and shunn'd the scorching heat: A hundred knights might there at ease abide; And every knight a lady by his side: The trunk itself such odours did bequeath, That a Moluccan[77] breeze to these was common breath.

The lords and ladies here, approaching, paid Their homage, with a low obeisance made; And seem'd to venerate the sacred shade. 330 These rites perform'd, their pleasures they pursue, With song of love, and mix with measures new; Around the holy tree their dance they frame, And every champion leads his chosen dame.

I cast my sight upon the farther field, And a fresh object of delight beheld: For from the region of the West I heard New music sound, and a new troop appear'd; Of knights and ladies mix'd, a jolly band, But all on foot they march'd, and hand in hand. 340

The ladies dress'd in rich symars were seen Of Florence satin, flower'd with white and green, And for a shade betwixt the bloomy gridelin.

The borders of their petticoats below Were guarded thick with rubies on a row; And every damsel wore upon her head Of flowers a garland blended white and red.

Attired in mantles all the knights were seen, That gratified the view with cheerful green: Their chaplets of their ladies' colours were, 350 Composed of white and red, to shade their shining hair.

Before the merry troop the minstrels play'd; All in their masters' liveries were array'd, And clad in green, and on their temples wore The chaplets white and red their ladies bore.

Their instruments were various in their kind, Some for the bow, and some for breathing wind; The sawtry, pipe, and hautboy's noisy band, And the soft lute trembling beneath the touching hand.

A tuft of daisies on a flowery lea 360 They saw, and thitherward they bent their way; To this both knights and dames their homage made, And due obeisance to the daisy paid.

And then the band of flutes began to play, To which a lady sung a virelay:[78]

And still at every close she would repeat The burden of the song, _The daisy is so sweet, The daisy is so sweet_: when she begun, The troop of knights and dames continued on.

The concert and the voice so charm'd my ear, And soothed my soul, that it was heaven to hear. 370

But soon their pleasure pa.s.s'd: at noon of day The sun with sultry beams began to play: Not Sirius shoots a fiercer flame from high, When with his poisonous breath he blasts the sky: Then droop'd the fading flowers (their beauty fled) And closed their sickly eyes, and hung the head; And rivell'd up with heat, lay dying in their bed.

The ladies gasp'd, and scarcely could respire; The breath they drew, no longer air but fire; 380 The fainty knights were scorch'd, and knew not where To run for shelter, for no shade was near; And after this the gathering clouds amain Pour'd down a storm of rattling hail and rain; And lightning flash'd betwixt: the field, and flowers, Burnt up before, were buried in the showers.

The ladies and the knights, no shelter nigh, Bare to the weather and the wintry sky, Were drooping wet, disconsolate, and wan, And through their thin array received the rain; 390 While those in white, protected by the tree, Saw pa.s.s in vain the a.s.sault, and stood from danger free; But as compa.s.sion moved their gentle minds, When ceased the storm, and silent were the winds, Displeased at what, not suffering they had seen, They went to cheer the faction of the green.

The queen in white array, before her band, Saluting, took her rival by the hand; So did the knights and dames, with courtly grace, And with behaviour sweet their foes embrace; 400 Then thus the queen with laurel on her brow-- Fair sister, I have suffer'd in your woe; Nor shall be wanting aught within my power For your relief in my refreshing bower.

That other answer'd with a lowly look, And soon the gracious invitation took: For ill at ease both she and all her train The scorching sun had borne, and beating rain.

Like courtesy was used by all in white, Each dame a dame received, and every knight a knight. 410 The laurel champions with their swords invade The neighbouring forests, where the jousts were made, And serewood from the rotten hedges took, And seeds of latent fire, from flints provoke: A cheerful blaze arose, and by the fire They warm'd their frozen feet, and dried their wet attire.

Refresh'd with heat, the ladies sought around For virtuous herbs, which, gather'd from the ground, They squeezed the juice, and cooling ointment made, Which on their sun-burnt cheeks, and their chapt skins they laid: 420 Then sought green salads, which they bade them eat, A sovereign remedy for inward heat.

The Lady of the Leaf ordain'd a feast, And made the Lady of the Flower her guest: When, lo! a bower ascended on the plain, With sudden seats ordain'd, and large for either train.