Wedding Night

Far from the feasting, in the bedroom

Sits loyal Amor and quakes with dread:

What if the guests become too zestful,

Break the peace of the bridal bed?

A mystical and holy shimmer

Flows from his pale flames of gold;

For you both a whirl of incense

Readies pleasures manifold.

How throbs your heart as chiming timepiece

Chases noisy guests away;

Any moment, lips you burn for

Nought will utter, nought gainsay.

You hasten with her to the temple,

There to consummate your bliss;

The guardian holds aloft his flambeau,

Still and small as a taper is.

How she trembles with your kisses,

Bosom, lips, and cheeks, and brow:

His severities are shivers,

Your derring-do is duty now.

Quick, Amor helps you undress her,

He has half your enterprise;

Roguish, then, but also modest,

He’ll be closing both his eyes.