TO ALL THE

MARRIED COUPLES

IN

GREAT-BRITAIN and IRELAND.

LADIES and GENTLEMEN,

T

HIS work is dedicated to married. people in general, because no offence fhould be taken by an individual; for the Writer of these Matrimonial Dialogues is fimple enough to imagine, that if even one perfon embarked in the good Ship called Matrimony, to make the voyage of Life, should fail of being complimented with the title of Commander, it might endanger the Wreck of the Vessel.

The Gentlemen will pardon me for making my first compliments to the Ladies,

A 2

what should constitute the genuine happiness of the married Life.

FEW HAPPY MATCHES.

I.

AY, mighty Love, and teach my Song,
To whom thy fweeteft Joys belong,
And who the happy Pairs

Whofe yielding Hearts, and joining Hands,
Find Bleffings twisted with their Bands,

To foften all their Cares.

II.

Not the wild Herd of Nymphs and Swains
That thoughtless fly into the Chains,
As Custom leads the Way:

If there be Blifs without Defigni,
Ivies and Oaks may grow and twine,
And be as bleft as they.

III.

Not fordid Souls of earthy Mold,
Who drawn by Kindred Charms of Gold,

To dull Embraces move:
So two rich Mountains of Peru
May rush to wealthy Marriage too,
And make a World of Love.

IV.

Not the mad Tribe that Hell infpires
With wanton Flames; thofe raging Fires
The purer Bliss destroy:

On Etna's Top let Furies wed,

And Sheets of Light'ning dress the Bed,
T'improve the burning Joy.
V.

Not the dull Pairs whofe marble Forms
None of the melting Paffion warms,
Can mingle Hearts and Hands:

Logs of green Wood, that quench the Coals,
Are marry'd juft like Stoic Souls,

With Ofiers for their Bands,

VI.

Not Minds of melancholy Strain,
Still filent, or that ftill complain,
Can the dear Bondage bless:

As well may heav'nly Concerts spring.
From two old Lutes with ne'er a String,
Or none befide the Bass.

: VII.

Nor can the foft Enchantments hold

Two jarring Souls of angry Mold,
The Rugged and the Keen:
Sampfon's young Foxes might as well
In Bands of chearful Wedlock dwell,
With Firebrands ty'd between.

VIII.

Nor let the cruel Fetters bind
A gentle to a favage Mind,

For Love abhors the Sight:
Loose the fierce Tyger from the Deer,
For native Rage and native Fear
Rife and forbid Delight.

IX.

Two kindeft Souls alone must meet,
'Tis Friendship makes the Bondage sweet,
And feeds their mutual Loves:
Bright Venus on her rolling Throne
Is drawn by gentleft Birds alone,
And Cupids yoke the Doves.

Having quoted a Poem, a circumstance, perhaps, rather uncommon in a Dedication, I have only to leave it to your confideration, and to affirm that I am, with the trueft attention to your intereft,