Page:Golden Treasury of English Songs and Lyrics.djvu/51

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Whose dreadful name late thro’ all Spain did thunder,And Hercules’ two pillars standing near Did make to quake and fear: Fair branch of honour, flower of chivalry! That fillest England with thy triumphs’ fame Joy have thou of thy noble victory,And endless happiness of thine own name That promiseth the same; That through thy prowess and victorious arms Thy country may be freed from foreign harms,And great Eliza’s glorious name may ringThrough all the world, fill’d with thy wide alarmsWhich some brave Muse may singTo ages following,Upon the bridal day, which is not long: Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song.
From those high towers this noble lord issúing Like radiant Hesper, when his golden hair In th’ ocean billows he hath bathéd fair, Descended to the river’s open viewing With a great train ensuing. Above the rest were goodly to be seenTwo gentle knights of lovely face and feature,Beseeming well the bower of any queen,With gifts of wit and ornaments of nature Fit for so goodly stature, That like the twins of Jove they seem’d in sightWhich deck the baldric of the Heavens bright;They two, forth pacing to the river’s side,Received those two fair brides, their love’s delight; Which, at th’ appointed tide,Each one did make his brideAgainst their bridal day, which is not long: Sweet Thames! run softly, till I end my song.E. Spenser
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