Her will I wed, if gracious Heaven so please,
To pass my age in sanctity and ease;

And thank the powers, I may possess alone
The lovely prize, and share my bliss with none !
If you, my friends, this virgin can procure,
My joys are full, my happiness is sure.

'One only doubt remains: full oft I've heard,
By casuists grave, and deep divines averr'd,
That 'tis too much for human race to know
The bliss of heaven above, and earth below.
Now should the nuptial pleasures prove so great,
To match the blessings of the future state,
Those endless joys were ill exchang'd for these ;
Then clear this doubt, and set my mind at ease.'
This Justin heard, nor could his spleen control,
Touch'd to the quick, and tickled at the soul.
'Sir knight,' he cried, if this be all you dread,
Heaven put it past your doubt, whene'er you wed;
And to my fervent prayers so far consent,
That, ere the rites are o'er, you may repent!
Good Heaven, no doubt, the nuptial state approves,
Since it chastises still what best it loves.

Then be not, sir, abandon'd to despair;
Seek, and perhaps you'll find among the fair,
One that may do your business to a hair;
Not ev'n in wish, your happiness delay,
But prove the scourge to lash you on your way:
Then to the skies your mounting soul shall go,
Swift as an arrow soaring from the bow!
Provided still, you moderate your joy,
Nor in your pleasures all your might employ,
Let reason's rule your strong desires abate,
Nor please too lavishly your gentle mate.
Old wives there are, of judgement most acute,
Who solve these questions beyond all dispute;
Consult with those, and be of better cheer;
Marry, do penance, and dismiss your fear.'
So said, they rose, no more the work delay'd;
The match was offer'd, the proposals made.

}

The parents you may think, would soon comply;
The old have interest ever in their eye.
Nor was it hard to move the lady's mind:
When fortune favours, still the fair are kind.
I pass each previous settlement and deed,
Too long for me to write, or you to read;
Nor will with quaint impertinence display
The pomp, the pageantry, the proud array.
The time approach'd, to church the parties went,
At once with carnal and devout intent:

Forth came the priest, and bade th' obedient wife, Like Sarah or Rebecca lead her life;

Then pray'd the pow'rs the fruitful bed to bless, And made all sure enough with holiness.

And now the palace-gates are open'd wide, The guests appear in order, side by side,

And plac'd in state the bridegroom and the bride.

The breathing flute's soft notes are heard around,
And the shrill trumpets mix their silver sound;
The vaulted roofs with echoing music ring,
These touch the vocal stops, and those the trem-
bling string.

Not thus Amphion tun'd the warbling lyre,
Nor Joab the sounding clarion could inspire,
Nor fierce Theodamas, whose sprightly strain
Could swell the soul to rage, and fire the martial
train.

Bacchus himself, the nuptial feast to grace
(So poets sing), was present on the place:
And lovely Venus, goddess of delight,
Shook high her flaming torch in open sight,
And danc'd around, and smil'd on every knight:
Pleas'd her best servant would his courage try,
No less in wedlock, than in liberty.

Full many an age old Hymen had not spied
So kind a bridegroom, or so bright a bride.
Ye bards! renown'd among the tuneful throng
For gentle lays, and joyous nuptial song,

}

Her will I wed, if gracio
To pass my age in sanct.
And thank the powers,
The lovely prize, and sh.
If you, my friends, this
My joys are full, my ha

'One only doubt rema
By casuists grave, and de
That 'tis too much for huu
The bliss of heaven above,
Now should the nuptial pl
To match the blessings of t
Those endless joys were ill
Then clear this doubt, and

This Justin heard, nor co Touch'd to the quick, and 'Sir knight,' he cried, "if t Heaven put it past your do And to my fervent prayers That, ere the rites are o'er, Good Heaven, no doubt, the Since it chastises still what Then be not, sir, abandon'd Seek, and perhaps you'll fine One that may do your busin Not ev'n in wish, your happ. But prove the scourge to las Then to the skies your moun Swift as an arrow soaring fro Provided still, you moderate Nor in your pleasures all you Let reason's rule your stron Nor please too lavishly your Old wives there are, of judge Who solve these questions be Consult with those, and be of Marry, do penance, and dismis

So said, they rose, no more The match was offer'd, the prop

thought fit th' assistance to receive,
ve physicians scruple not to give;
ar, with hot eringos stood,

to fire the lazy blood,

old bards describe in luscious rhymes, learn'd explain to modern times.

the sheets were spread, the bride uns'd,

as sprinkled, and the bed was bless'd. nsued beseems me not to say; labour'd till the dawning day, sprung from bed, with heart so.

સર

othing he had done by night;
is cordial as he sat upright.
balmy spouse with wanton play,
ng a lusty roundelay:

ouch his weary limbs he cast;
our must have rest at last.

› cares the pensive 'squire oppress'd,
eyes, and peace forsook his breast:
mes that in his bosom dwell,

t to hide, and means to tell;
e th' occasion might betray,
nnet to the lovely May;
nd folded with the nicest art,
1 silk, and laid upon his heart.
the fourth revolving day was run
and Cancer had receiv'd the sun),
her chamber came the beauteous

id knight mov'd slowly by her side.
as sung; they feasted in the hall;
round stood ready at their call.
one was absent from the board,
sickness griev'd his worthy lord,
s spouse, attended with her train,
in, and divert his pain.

mes obey'd with one consent;
all, and to his lodging went.

Think not your softest numbers can display
The matchless glories of the blissful day:
The joys are such as far transcend your rage,
When tender youth has wedded stooping age.
The beauteous dame sat smiling at the board,
And darted amorous glances at her lord.
Not Hester's self, whose charms the Hebrews sing,
E'er look'd so lovely on her Persian king:
Bright as the rising sun in summer's day,
And fresh and blooming as the month of May!
The joyful knight survey'd her by his side,
Nor envied Paris with the Spartan bride:
Still as his mind revolv'd with vast delight
Th'entrancing raptures of th' approaching night,
Restless he sat, invoking every power

To speed his bliss, and haste the happy hour.
Meantime the vigorous dancers beat the ground,
And songs were sung, and flowing bowls went
round.

With odorous spices they perfum'd the place,
And mirth and pleasure shone in every face.
Damian alone of all the menial train,
Sad in the midst of triumph, sigh'd for pain;
Damian alone, the knight's obsequious 'squire,
Consum'd at heart, and fed a secret fire.
His lovely mistress all his soul possess'd;
He look'd, he languish'd, and could take no rest:
His task perform'd, he sadly went his way,
Fell on his bed, and loath'd the light of day.
There let him lie, till his relenting dame
Weep in her turn, and waste in equal flame.
The wearied sun, as learned poets write,
Forsook the horizon, and roll'd down the light;
While glittering stars his absent beams supply,
And night's dark mantle overspread the sky.
Then rose the guests; and, as the time requir'd,
Each paid his thanks, and decently retir'd.

The foe once gone, our knight prepar'd t' undress, So keen he was, and eager to possess: