Ye gentle Birds, the world’s fair ornament,
And heaven’s glories, whom this happy hour
Doth lead unto your lover’s blissful bower,
Joy may you have and gentle heart’s content
Of your love’s couplement:
And let faire Venus, that is Queen of love,
With her heart-quelling Sun upon you smile,
Whose smile they say, hath virtue to remove
All Love’s dislike, and friendship’s faulty guile
For ever to assoil.
Let endless Peace your steadfast hearts accord,
And blessed Plenty wait upon your board,
And let your bed with pleasures chaste abound,
That fruitful issue may to you afford:
Which may your foes confound,
And make your joys redound,
Upon your Bridal day, which is not long:
Sweet Thames run softly, till I end my Song.