Classic Poem

single:
(i)
Shake off your heavy trance,
and leap into a dance,
Such as no mortals use to tread,
fit only for Apollo
To play to, for the Moon to lead,
And all the Stars to follow.
(ii)

On blessed youths, for Jove doth pause,
Laying aside his graver Laws
For this device:
And at the wedding such a pair,
Each dance is taken for a prayer,
Each Song a Sacrifice.
(iii)

single:More pleasing were these sweet delights,
If Ladies mov'd as well as Knights;
Run every one of you and catch
A Nymph, in honor of this match;
And whisper boldly in her ear,
Jove will but laugh, if you forswear.
all:And this days sins he doth resolve,
That we his Priests should all absolve.
(iv)

You should stay longer if we durst.
Away, alas! that he that first
Gave time wild wings to fly away,
Has now no power to make him stay.
But though these games must needs be plaid,
I would this pair, when they are laid,
And not a creature nigh 'em,
Could catch his sithe, as he doth passe,
And cut his wings, and break his glasse,
And keep him ever by 'em.
(v)

Peace and silence be the guide
To the man, and to the Bride:
If there be a joy yet new
In marriage, let it fall on you,
That all the World may wonder:
If we should stay, we should do worse,
And turn our blessings to a curse,
By keeping you asunder.