Jami. Wale Deli

C.Mosley Sculp.

Old as he was, and void of Espezight What coud alas'a helplefi“Husband dom

JANUARY

A ND

M

A.Y.

TH

HERE liv'd in Lombardy, as Authors write,

In days of old, a wise and worthy knight; Of gentle manners, as of gen'rous race,

, Bleft with much sense, more riches, and some grace. Yet, led astray by Venus' soft delights,

5 He scarce could rule some idle appetites: For long ago, let Priests say what they cou'd, Weak sinsul.laymen were but flesh and blood.

But in due time, when fixty years were o’er,
He vow'd to lead this vitious life no more;
Whether

pure holiness infpit'd his mind,
Or dotage turn’d his brain, is hard to find;
But his high courage prick'd him forth to wed,
And

try the pleasures of a lawful bed.

a

a

This was his nightly dream, his daily care, 15
And to the heav’nly pow'rs his constant pray’r,,
Once ere he dy'd, to taste the blissful life
Of a kind husband and a loving wife.

These thoughts he fortify'd with reasons still,
(For none want reasons to confirm their will.) 20
Grave authors say, and witty poets fing,
That honest wedlock is a glorious thing
But depth of judgment most in him

appears,
Who wisely weds in his maturer years.
Then let him chuse a damsel young and fair, 25
To bless his age, and bring a worthy heir ;
To footh his cares, and free from noise and strife,
Conduct him gently to the verge of life.
Let finful batchelors their woes deplore,
Full well they merit all they feel, and more: 30
Unaw'd by precepts, human or divine,
Like birds and beasts promiscuously they join:
Nor know to make the present blessing last,

To hope the future, or esteem the past :
But vainly boast the joys they never try'd, 35
And find divulg'd the secrets they would hide.
The marry'd man may bear his yoke with ease,
Secure at once himself and heav'n to please;