THE In days of old, a wife and worthy knight; Of gentle manners, as of gen'rous race, Blett with much fenfe, more riches, and fome grace. But in due time, when fixty years werc o'er, January and May.) feventeen years of Age. NOTES. 10 15 This Tranflation was done at fixteen or P. Thefe thoughts he fortify'd with reafons ftill, (For none want reafons to confirm their will.) Grave authors fay, and witty poers fing, That honeft wedlock is a glorious thing: But depth of judgment moft in him appears, Who wifely weds in his maturer years. Then let him chufe a damfel yoting and fair, To blefs his age, and bring a worthy heir; To footh his cares, and free from noife and ftrife, Conduct him gently to the verge of life, Let finful batchelors their woes deplore, Full well they merit all they feel, and more; Unaw'd by precepts human or divine, Like birds and beafts promifcuoufly they join: Nor know to make the prefent bleffing laft, To hope the future, or efteem the paft: But vainly boaft the joys they never try'd And find divulg'd the fecrets they would hide. The marry'd man may bear his yoke with ease, Secure at once himself and heav'n to please; And pafs his inoffenfive hours away, In blifs all night, and innocence all day: Tho' fortune change, his conftant spouse remains, Augments his joys, or mitigates his pains, 20 25 35 40 But what fo pure, which envious tongues will spare? Some wicked wits have libell'd all the fair. With matchless impudence they ftyle a wife The dear bought curfe, and lawful plague of life; A bofom - ferpent, a domeftic evil, A night-invasion, and a mid-day devil. Let not the wife these fland'rous words regard, 45 |