Six centuries of select hymns and spiritual songs collected out of the Holy Bible together with a catechism, the canticles, and a catalogue of vertuous women / by William Barton.

The Second Song. (Book 2)

[Christ.]

I Am the Lilly of the Vales, The Rose of Sharon's fragrant dales: Lo, as th' unsullyed Lilly shows, Which in a Brake of Bramble grows, My love so darkens all that are By erring men admir'd for fair.

[The Church.]

Lo, as the tree which Citrons bears, Amidst the barren Shrubs appears,

So my belov'd excells the race Of man in every winning Grace. In his desired shade I'll rest, And with his fruits my palate feast: He brought me to his magazine Replenisht with refreshing Wine; And over me (a tender maid) The Ensign of his love display'd. With flagons, oh! revive my powers, And strew my bed with fruits and flowers; Whose taste and smell may cordial prove, For oh! my soul is sick of love: Beneath my head thy left arm place, And gently with thy right embrace. Ye Daughters of Jerusalem, Ye branches of that holy stem; I by the mountains, Roes, and by The Hinds which through the forrest fly, Adjure you that ye silence keep, Nor till he wake, disturb his sleep. Is it a dream, or do I hear The voice that so delights my ear? Lo! he o're hills his steps extends, And bounding, from the clifts, descends; Now like a Roe outstrips the wind, And leaves the breathed Hart behind. Behold, without my dearest stays, And through the latice darts his rayes, Thus, as his words, his looks invite, O thou the Crown of my delight.

[Christ.]

Arise my love, my fair one rise, O come, delay our joy envyes:

Lo, the sharp winter now is gone, Those threatning Tempests overblown; Hark how the airs musicians sing, And caroll to the flowery spring: Chast Turtles hous'd in shady Groves Now murmure to their faithfull loves; Green figs on sprouting trees appear, And vines sweet smelling blossoms bear. Arise my love, my fairest rise, O come, delay our joy envyes; O thou my dove, whom terror locks Within the Cranyes of the Rocks; Come forth now, like thy self appear, And with thy voice delight mine ear: Thy voice is musick, and thy face All conquers with resistless Grace. My love, come vanquish, for my sake, These foxes, these young foxes take; Who these our tender Grapes destroy, And in their thriving rapine joy.

[The Church.]

I am my loves and he is mine, So mutually our loves combine; He, whose affection words exceeds His flock among the lilies feeds: Return to me my onely dear, Stay till the morning-star appear; Stay till nights dusky shadows fly Before the days illustrious eye; Run like a Roe or Hart upon The hills of lofty Bethoron.