my love, thou blissful lady dear.” When th’ orison was done of Palamon, His sacrifice he did, and that anon, Full piteously, with allë circumstances, All tell I not as now his observánces. But at the last the statue of Venus shook, And made a signë, whereby that he took That his prayér accepted was that day. For though the signë shewed a delay, Yet wist he well that granted was his boon; And with glad heart he went him home full soon.
The third hour unequál that Palamon Began to Venus’ temple for to gon, Up rose the sun, and up rose Emily, And to the temple of Dian gan hie. Her maidens, that she thither with her lad, Full readily with them the fire they had, Th’ incense, the clothës, and the remnant all That to the sacrifice belongë shall, The hornës full of mead, as was the guise; There lacked nought to do her sacrifice. Smoking the temple full of clothës fair, This Emily with heartë debonnair Her body wash’d with water of a well. But how she did her rite I dare not tell; But it be any thing in general; And yet it were a game to hearen all; To him that meaneth well it were no charge: But it is good a man to be at large. Her bright hair combed was, untressed all. A coronet of green oak cerrial Upon her head was set full fair and meet. Two firës on the altar gan she bete, And did her thingës, as men may behold In Stace of Thebes, and these bookës old. When kindled was the fire, with piteous cheer Unto Dian she spake as ye may hear.