The Crowne of All Homers Workes/A Hymne to Venus (2)

by Homer

For other versions of this work, see A Hymn to Venus (Homer, 2).

To the same.

He Reuerend Rich-crownd, and Faire Queene, I sing;
(Venus) that owes in Fate the fortressing,
Of all Maritimall Cyprus. Where the force
Of gentle-breathing Zephire sterde her Course
Along the waues of the resounding Sea;
While, yet, vnborne, in that soft fome she laie
That brought her forth; whom those faire Howrs that beare
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$The Golden-bridles; ioyfully stood nere;
Tooke vp into their armes; and put on her
Weed's of a neuer-corruptible weare.
On her immortall head, a Crowne they plac't;
Elaborate; and with all the beauties grac't
That Gold could giue it. Of a weight so great;
That, to impose, aud take off; it had set
Three Handles on it; made for endlesse hold,
Of shyning Brasse; and all adorn'd with Gold.
Her soft neck; all with Carquenets was grac't;
That stoop't, and both her siluer brests embrac't,
Which euen the Howrs themselues weare in resort,
To Deities Dances; and her Fathers Court.
Grac't at all parts; they brought to Heauen her graces;
Whose first sight seene; all fell into embraces;
Hugg'd her white bands; saluted; wishing, all,
To weare her Maiden Flowre in festiuall
Of sacred Hymen: and to leade her home.
All, to all admiration, ouercome
With Cytheræa, with the violet Crowne.
So, to the black-Browd-sweet-spoke; All Renowne;
Prepare my Song; and giue me, in the end,
The victory; to whose Palme, all contend.
So shall my Muse, for euer honour thee,
And (for thy sake) thy faire Posteritie.

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