ABSTRACT
The tradition of the wedding-song may be as old as the religious ceremony: in Greek the adjective epithalamios, meaning at the bridal chamber, denoted bedding-down song bawdily encouraging procreation. European poets of the period celebrated innumerable royal and noble weddings, including those of the Stuart family. Though the family barony of Strange was really extinct with the death of his elder brother Ferdinando in April, Thomas may, during the formers earldom, 15934, have been known as Lord Strange, and have been taking one of the female parts in the revel. See comment on Derby. John Donne wrote for a mock-wedding at an Inn revel, which adds resonance to the characterisation of fellow students as strange hermaphrodites. The refrain moderates the lust of inflaming eyes with commendable loving hearts: the poem attempts to contain the fires ignited by this wedding, to turn a conflagration into a hearthside glow.
