Poems on several occasions | ||
TO MY SISTER LAMBERT, ON HER MARRIAGE.
I
No fiction fine shall guide my hand,But artless truth the verse supply,
Which all with ease may understand,
But none be able to deny.
II
Nor, sister, take the care amissWhich I in giving rules employ,
To point the likeliest way to bliss,
To cause as well as wish you joy.
III
Let love your reason never blindTo dream of Paradise below;
For sorrows will attend mankind,
And pain and weariness and woe:
396
IV
Though still from mutual love reliefIn all conditions may be found;
It cures at once the common grief,
It softens the severest wound.
V
Through diligence and honest gain,In growing plenty may you live;
And each in piety obtain
Repose that riches cannot give.
VI
If children e'er should bless the bed,O rather let them infants die,
Than live to grieve the hoary head,
And make the aged father sigh!
VII
Still duteous, let them ne'er conspireTo make their parents disagree;
No son be rival to his sire,
Nor daughter more beloved than thee!
VIII
Let them be humble, pious, wise;Nor higher station seek to know;
Since only those deserve to rise
Who live contented to be low.
397
IX
Firm let the husband's empire stand,With easy, but unquestion'd, sway;
May he have kindness to command,
And thou the bravery to obey!
X
Long may he give thee comfort! longAs the frail knot of life shall hold;
More than a father, when thou 'rt young;
More than a son, when growing old.
XI
The greatest earthly pleasure tryAllow'd by Providence Divine:
Be he a husband blest as I,
And thou a wife as good as mine!
Poems on several occasions | ||