The harmonie of the church Containing, the spirituall songes and holy hymnes, of godly men, patriarkes and prophetes: all, sweetly sounding, to the praise and glory of the highest. Now (newlie) reduced into sundrie kinds of English meeter: meete to be read or sung, for the solace and comfort of the godly. By M.D.

The most excellent Song which was Salomons, wherein is declared the true and vnfained loue betweene Christ and his Church, containing, viii. Chapters.

Chap. 1.

LEt him imbrace his Deare, with many a friendly kisse, For why? thy loue than any wine to me more pleasant is: In smel thou art most like, sweet odors vnto me, thy name like precious ointmēt is, so sweet as sweet may be

Therefore the Virgins al, of thee enamored are, Entice me on to follow thee, loe, we our selues prepare: The King hath brought me in, to chamber richly dight, He is my ioy, his loue is sweet, the good in him delight. Ye daughters of Ierusalem, although that browne I bee, Than Arras rich or Cedars fruits, I seemlier am to see, Disdaine me not although I be not passing faire, For why? the glowing sunny raies discolloured haue my laire: My mothers darlings deare, with enuie swelling so, Haue me cōstrain'd to keep their Vine, thus I mine own forgoe. Tell me my sweet and deare, where thou thy flocke doost feed, Or where thy litle Lamblings rest, about midday indeed? Els shall I walke about, all wandring like a stray, And seeke thee after other flocks, through many an vnknowne way: If that my pathes (oh Paragon) be so vnknowen to thee, Go feed thy flock amongst the tents, wher none but shepherds be, My true and loyal Loue, I may thee well compare To famous Pharaos horses great, which in his chariots are, Thy cheeks bedect with precious stone, most louely to behold, About thy neck likewise do hang great massy chaines of gold. Fine costlie borders for my Loue, of gold we wil prepare, With siluer studs accordinglie of worke surpassing rare. Whiles he at table sat, persumes then did I make Of Spicknard sweet and delicate, al for my true Loues sake: My loue more sweet than Myrrhe, between my breasts doth ly, Or Camphere, that doth spring and grow in vine of Engady. How faire art thou my Loue, my Doue, my Darling deare, Thine eies most like vnto the Doues, in sight to me appeare. Oh how exceeding faire, and seemly to be seene, The bed where we together lie, is hung with pleasant greene: The beames our house vphold, they all of Cedar be, The reaching Rafters of the same, of Fyrre, that stately tree.

The second Chapter.

I Am the fragrant Flower, of braue vermilion hue, And Lilie in the valey low, ysprong vp fresh and new: As Lillie flower excels the thorne, or litle chyer of grasse,

So far my Loue the Virgins all in beautie doth surpasse. Or as the barren crooked stocke vnto the straightest tree, No more the sonnes vnto my Loue may ought compared be: To rest by his sweet side, to mee a heauenly blisse, The fruit that springeth from my Loue, exceeding pleasant is, To Celler he me brings, of wine aboundant store, His loue displaied ouer me, how can I wish for more? Fil foorth your Flagons then, whereof the fume may flie, Bring forth your cates to comfort me, ah me, for loue I die. His left hand clipping close, about my necke doth hold, His right doth sweetly me imbrace, and eke my corps enfold. I charge you by the Roes and Hinds, ye Iewish daughters all, Not once to stir nor wake my Loue, vntil she please to call. But stay, me thinks this is, mine owne Loues voice I heare, Loe, how he skips from hill to hill, loe, yon he doth appeare. My Loue is like a Roe, that frisketh in the wood, Or like the strong and stately Hart, in prime and lusty blood. He closely shroudes himselfe behind our wall I see, And through the gate he dooth disclose and shew himselfe to me. And calling then, he saith, come to thine owne my Deare, For lo, the clouds are past and gone, the skies are christal cleare: The flowers in the field, so faire and freshly spring, The birds do chant with merie glee, the Turtle now doth sing: The fig-trees bear such store, that boughs with waight are bent, The Vines with blossoms do abound, which yeeld a sweet accēt. Come to thine owne my deare, my Darling and my Doue, Leaue thou the place of thine abode, come to thine own true loue Let me behold thy face, most pleasant to the sight, And heare my best beloueds voice, that most doth me delight. Destroy the subtil Fox, that doth the grapes deuoure, For loe, behold, the time is come, the vines do bud and floure. My Loue to me is true, and I likewise his owne, Which in the Lilles takes repast, himselfe euen all alone: Vntil the day doth spring, or shadowes fade away, Be as a Roe or like the Harts, which on the mountaines play.

The third Chapter.

By night within my hed, I romed here and there, But al in vain, I could not find my Loue & friendly Fere. Then straight waies vp I rose, and searching euery street throughout the city far & neer, but him I could not meete. The watchmen found me tho, to whom I then can say, Haue ye not seen mine owne true Loue, of late come this a way: Then passing them, I found my Loue I long had sought, And to my mothers chamber then, my darling haue I brought. I charge you by the Roes and Hinds, this vow to me you make, Ye Iewish daughters, not to call my Loue till she doe wake. Who's that which doth frō wildernes, in mighty smoke appeare, Like the perfumes of odors sweet, which Merchāts hold so dear. About the bed of Salomon, behold, there is a band Of threescore valiant Israelites, which al in armour stand, All expert men of war, with sword stil ready prest, Least foes in night time should approch, when men suspect them least: King Salomon hath made of Liban tree so sure, A Pallace braue, whose pillers strong are al of siluer pure: The pauement beaten gold, the hangings purple graine, The daughters of Ierusalem with ioy to entertaine. Ye Sion daughters, see, where Salomon is set In Royall throan, and on his head, the princely Coronet, Wherewith his mother first, adorn'd him (as they say) When he in mariage linked was, euen on his wedding day.

The fourth Chapter.

BEhold, thou art al faire my Loue, my hearts delight, Thine eies so louely like the Doues, appear to me in sight, Thy haire surpassing faire and seemely to the eie, Like to a goodly heard of Goates, on Gilead mountaine hie. Thy teeth like new washt sheep, returning from the flood, Wheras not one is barren found, but beareth twinnes so good. Thy lips like scarlet thred, thy talke dooth breed delight, Thy temples like pomgranet faire doth shew to me in sight. Thy necke like Dauids Tower, which for defence doth stand,

Wherein the shieldes and targets be, of men of mightie hand. Thy brests like twinned Roes, in prime and youthfull age, Which feed among the Lillies sweet, their hunger to diswage. Vntil the day doe spring, and night be banisht hence: I will ascend into the mount of Myrrhe and Frankensence. Thou art all faire my Loue, most seemly eke to see, From head to foot, from top to toe, there is no spot in thee. Come downe from Libanon, from Libanon aboue, And from Amanahs mountain hie, come to thine own true loue. From Sheuers stately top, from Hermon hil so hie, From Lions dens & frō the cliffes, where lurking Leopards lie. My Spouse and sister deare, thy loue hath wounded me, Thy louely eie and seemly neck, hath made me yeeld to thee. Thy loue far better is, than any wine to me, Thy odors sweet doth far surpasse, the smell where spices be. Thy lips like hony combe, vnder thy tongue doth lie The honey sweet: thy garments smel, like Libanon on hie. My Spouse a garden is, fast vnder locke and kay, Or like a Fountaine closely kept, where sealed is the way. Like to a pleasant plot I may thee well compare, Where Cāphere, Spicknard, dainty fruits, with sweet Pomgra¦nets are. Euen Spicknard, Saffron, Calamus, & Synamom do growe, With Incense, Myrrhe and Alloes, with many spices moe. Oh Fountaine passing pure, oh Well of life most deare. Oh Spring of loftie Libanon, of water christal cleare. Ye North and Southern winds vpon my garden blow, That the sweet spice that is therein, on euery side may flow. Vnto his garden place, my Loue for his repast Shall walke, and of the fruites therein, shal take a pleasant tast.

The fift Chapter.

WIthin my garden plot, loe, I am present now, I gathered haue the Myrrhe and spice, that in aboundance growe: With honey, milke & wine, I haue refresht me here. Eat, drink my friends, be mery there, with harty friēdly cheare. Although in slumbering sleepe, it seemes to you I lay,

Yet h••••r•• I my beloued knock, me thinks I heare him say, Open to me the gate my Loue, my hearts delight, For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my locks are all bedewed with drizling drops of night. My garments are put off, then may I not doo so, Shal I defile my feet I washt, so white as any snow. Then fast euen by the dore to me he shew'd his hand, My heart was then enamoured, when as I saw him stand. Then straight waies vp I rose, to ope the dore with speed, My handes and fingers dropped Myrrhe, vpon the bar indeed. Then opened I the dore, vnto my Loue at last, But all in vaine, for why? before, my Loue was gone and past. There sought I for my loue, then could I crie and call, But him I could not find, nor he, ••ould answer me at at all. The watchmen found me then, as thus I walk'd astray, They wounded me, and from my head, my vaile they took away Ye daughters of Ierusalem, if ye my Loue doo see, Tell him that I am sicke for loue, yea, tel him this from me. Thou peerelesse Gene of price, I pray thee to vs tell, What is thy Loue, what may he be, that doth so far excell? In my beloueds face, the Rose and Lilly striue, Among ten thousand men not one, is found so faire aliue. His, head like finest gold, with secret sweet perfume, His curled locks hang all as black, as any Rauens plume. His eies be like to Doues, on Riuers banks below, Ywasht with milk, whose collours are, most gallant to the show. His cheeks like to a plot, where spice and flowers growe, his lips like to the Lilly white, frō whēce pure Myrth doth flow, His hands like rings of gold, with costly Chrisales, His belly like the Yuory white, with seemly Saphyrs set. His legs like Pillers strong, of Marble set in gold, His countenance like Libanon, or Cedars to behold. His mouth it is as sweet, yea, sweet as sweet may be, This is my Loue, ye Virgins loe, euen such a one is he. Thou fairest of vs al, whether is thy Louer gone, Tel vs, and we will goe with thee, thou shalt not goe alone.

The sixt Chapter.

DOwne to his garden place, mine own true Loue is gone, Among the Spice and Lillies sweet, to walke himselfe alone. True am I to my Loue, and he my louing make, Which in the Lillies makes abode, and doth his pleasure take, With Tirzah or Ierusalem, thy beautie may be waide, In shew like to an Armie great, whose Ensignes are displaid. Oh turne away thine eies, for they haue wounded me, Thy haires are like a heard of Goats, on Gilead mount that be Thy teeth like new washt sheep, returning from the flood, Whereas not one is barren found, but beareth twins a good, The temples of thy head, within thy locks to showe, Are like to the Pomgranet fruit, that in the Orchards grow. Of Concubines four score there are, of Queens twice treble ten Of Virgins for the multitude, not to be numbred then. But yet my Doue alone, and vndefiled Fere, Her mothers only daughter is, to her exceeding deare. The Virgins saw my Loue, and they haue lik'd her well, The Queens & eke the Concubines, they say she doth excell. Who's she I doo behold, so like the morning cleare, Or like the Moon, when towards the ful, in pride she doth appear Bright as the radiant raies, that from the Sun descend, Or like an Army terrible, when Ensignes they extend. Vnto the nuts downe will I goe, and fruitfull valeyes lowe, To see if that the Vine doo bud, and the Pomgranets growe. My selfe I know not I, ne nothing knew I then, Let me be like a chariot, euen of thy noble men. Return againe, oh make returne, thou Shulamite so deare, Let vs enioy thy company, I pray thee soiorne here. What see you in the Shulamite, in her what may you see, But like a troupe of warlike men that in the armies be.

The seuenth Chapter.

HOw stately are thy s••eps with braue and loftypace, Thou daintie princesse, darling deare, with comely gallant grace. the wiues of thy fait thighs, the which so straight do stand Are like to cutions iewels wrought, by cunning workmās hand Thy nauell like a gobler is, which stil with wine doth flowe, Thy belly like an heape of wheat, about which, Lillies growe. Thy breasts I may compare like to two litle Roes, which follow on their mothers steps, when forth to feed she goes. Thy necke like to a Tower, of costly Iuory fram'd, thine eies like Heshbō waters clear, by that Bathrabbin nam'd Thy nose like Libanon Tower, most seemly to the eie, Which towards Damascus citie faire, that stately town dothly. Thy head like Starlet red, thy hatre of purple hue, The King in thee doth take delight, as in his Lady true. How faire art thou my Loue, and seemly to the sight, The pleasures that abound in thee, they are my chiefe delight: Thy statute like the Pasiue, the call and straightest tree, Thy breasts, the which do thee worne, most like to clusters be. Vpon the pleasant palme, I said I wil take holde, And rest vpon her pleasant boughes, I said I wil be bolde. Thy breasts are like a bunch of grapes, on the most fruitful vine, Thy nose in smel like to the fruit, of al most pure and fine. The roofe of thy sweet mouth, like purest wine doth cast, Which makes the very aged lagh, forgetting sorrowes past. I am vnto my Loue, a faithfull friendly Fere, And he is likewise vnto me, most render and most deare. Goe we into the field, to sport vs in the plaine, And in the pleasant villages (my Loue) let vs remaine. Then early will we rise and see, if that the vine do flourish, And if the earth accordingly do the Pomgranets nourish. I feele the Mandrakes smell, within our gates that be: The sweetest things both new & olde (my Loue) I kept for thee.

The eight Chapter.

OH that thou weart my brother borne, that suckt my mothers breast: Then sweetly would I kisse thy lippes, and by thee take my rest. Vnto my mothers closet sure, mine own Loue will I bring, And be obedient vnto him in euery kind of thing. There wil I giue to thee (my Loue) the daintie spiced wine, And pleasant liquor that distils from the Pomgrauet fine. With his left hand he shal support, and eke my head vpreare, And with the right most louingly he shal imbrace his deare. Ye daughters of Ierusalem, doo not my Loue disease, But suffer her to take her rest, so long as she shall please. Who's that which from the wildernes, you commeth frō aboue, And in this sort familiarly dooth leane vpon her Loue: Vnder a pleasant aple tree, from whence like fruit doth spring, Thy mother first conceiued thee, euen forth which did thee bring Let it be like a priuie seale, within thy secret heart, Or like a Signet on thy hand, thy secrets to impart: For iealousie is like the graue, and loue more strong than death From whose hot brands ther doth proceed a flaming fiery breath The flouds cannot alay his heat, nor water quench his flame, Neither the greatest treasure, can counteruaile the same. Our litle sister hath no breasts, what shal we doo or say, when we shal giue her to her Spouse, vpon her wedding day? If that she be a wall, on that foundation sure, A princely pallace wil we build, of siluer passing pure. And if she be a doore, she shall inclosed be With braue and goodly squared boords, of the fine Cedar tree. I am a mightie wall, my breasts like Towers hie, Then am I passing beautifull in my beloueds eie. King Salomon a vinyard had, in faire Baalhamon field, Each one in siluer yeerely dooth, a thousand peeces yeeld, But yet my vineyard (Salomon) thy vine doth far excell, For fruit and goodnes of the same, thou know'st it very wel. A thousand siluer peeces are, euen yearely due to me,

Two twousand likewise vnto them, the which her keepers be. Oh thou that in the garden dwell it, learne me thy voice to know That I may listen to the same, as thy companions doo. Flie my beloued hence away, and be thou like the Roe, Or as the Hart on mountaine toys, wheron sweet spices growe.