This page has been validated.
A HYMNE TO APOLLO.
25
Twixt Earth, and Heauen; when, comming to the place
Where dwelt th'Immortals; strait without the gate
She gat Lucina; and did all relate
The Goddesses commanded; and enclin'd,
To all that they demanded, her deare Minde.
And on their way they went, like those two Doues
That, walking high-waies, euery shadow moues
Vp from the earth; forc't with their naturall feare.
When entring Delos; she that is so deare
To Dames in labor, made Latona strait
Prone to deliuerie; and to weild the wait
Of her deare burthen, with a world of ease.
When, with her faire hand; she a Palme did sease
And (staying her by it) stucke her tender knees
Amidst the soft meade; that did smile beneath
Her sacred labor; and the child did breath
The aire, in th'instant. All the Goddesses
Brake in kinde teares, and shrikes for her quicke ease.
And Thee (O Archer Phœbus) with waues cleere
Washt sweetly ouer, swadled with sincere
And spotlesses swath-bands; and made then to flow
About thy breast, a mantle, white as snow;
Fine, and new made; and cast a Veile of Gold
Ouer thy forehead. Nor yet forth did hold
Thy mother, for thy foode, her golden brest:
But Themis in supply of it, addrest
Louely Ambrosia; and drunke off to thee
Where dwelt th'Immortals; strait without the gate
She gat Lucina; and did all relate
The Goddesses commanded; and enclin'd,
To all that they demanded, her deare Minde.
And on their way they went, like those two Doues
That, walking high-waies, euery shadow moues
Vp from the earth; forc't with their naturall feare.
When entring Delos; she that is so deare
To Dames in labor, made Latona strait
Prone to deliuerie; and to weild the wait
Of her deare burthen, with a world of ease.
When, with her faire hand; she a Palme did sease
And (staying her by it) stucke her tender knees
Amidst the soft meade; that did smile beneath
Her sacred labor; and the child did breath
The aire, in th'instant. All the Goddesses
Brake in kinde teares, and shrikes for her quicke ease.
And Thee (O Archer Phœbus) with waues cleere
Washt sweetly ouer, swadled with sincere
And spotlesses swath-bands; and made then to flow
About thy breast, a mantle, white as snow;
Fine, and new made; and cast a Veile of Gold
Ouer thy forehead. Nor yet forth did hold
Thy mother, for thy foode, her golden brest:
But Themis in supply of it, addrest
Louely Ambrosia; and drunke off to thee
