 | The works, in verse and prose, of the late Robert Treat Paine, Jun. Esq |  |
115
EDWIN AND EMMA.
AN EPITHALAMIUM.
Hail, to the natal hour of nuptial joy,
When life, from Nature's second birth, begins;
When the fond lover, and the damsel coy,
Are born in wedlock, Love's connubial twins!
When life, from Nature's second birth, begins;
When the fond lover, and the damsel coy,
Are born in wedlock, Love's connubial twins!
Ingenuous Edwin! whom pale Envy's frown,
For thee half-brightened to a smile, applauds;
Who, mid the leaves of Harvard's bay-wrought crown,
Entwin'st the wreath, which female taste awards.
For thee half-brightened to a smile, applauds;
Who, mid the leaves of Harvard's bay-wrought crown,
Entwin'st the wreath, which female taste awards.
Enchanting Emma, whose translucent face,
Like heaven's expanse, a ground work was designed,
Where Nature's hand her brightest gems might place,
To shine a picture of the perfect mind.
Like heaven's expanse, a ground work was designed,
Where Nature's hand her brightest gems might place,
To shine a picture of the perfect mind.
Blest, favoured pair, of rival charms the pride,
By Fortune nursed, by gay Refinement bred;
Unconscious Beauty, modest Worth allied,
By Cupid's hand to Hymen's temple led.
By Fortune nursed, by gay Refinement bred;
Unconscious Beauty, modest Worth allied,
By Cupid's hand to Hymen's temple led.
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Whate'er in Love's bright landscape charmed your view,
May you, in sweet reality, enjoy;
Feel all, that Hope of rapture ever drew;
Live all, that Fancy ever dreamt of joy!
May you, in sweet reality, enjoy;
Feel all, that Hope of rapture ever drew;
Live all, that Fancy ever dreamt of joy!
When man primæval walked with parent Heaven,
Eden his table crowned, and Eve his bed;
But, when by Fate's sad alternation driven,
He chose the bride, and from the garden fled.
Eden his table crowned, and Eve his bed;
But, when by Fate's sad alternation driven,
He chose the bride, and from the garden fled.
More happy Edwin! 'tis thy lot assigned,
Not, Adam-like, to waver which to leave;
But, favoured youth, to find them both combined,
Thy Eve, an Eden; and thy Eden, Eve!
Not, Adam-like, to waver which to leave;
But, favoured youth, to find them both combined,
Thy Eve, an Eden; and thy Eden, Eve!
Auspicious union! with thy silken sweets,
Should sensual life her sackcloth joys compare;
The best morceau, that Epicurus eats,
Is but a tear-wet crust—a beggar's fare!
Should sensual life her sackcloth joys compare;
The best morceau, that Epicurus eats,
Is but a tear-wet crust—a beggar's fare!
Lo! o'er yon night-wrapped precipice afar,
Gay, smiling, lingers Love's benignant queen!
There, rapt in ecstacy, she checks her car,
To feast her eyes upon the bridal scene!
Gay, smiling, lingers Love's benignant queen!
There, rapt in ecstacy, she checks her car,
To feast her eyes upon the bridal scene!
A scene, so bright, that well might choirs above
Envy the lavish bliss, to mortals given;
Pant for the raptures of connubial love,
And wish, that wedlock was no sin in heaven!
Envy the lavish bliss, to mortals given;
Pant for the raptures of connubial love,
And wish, that wedlock was no sin in heaven!
Oh, happy pair, to every blessing born!
For you, may life's calm stream, unruffled, run;
For you, its roses bloom, “without a thorn,”
And bright as morning, shine its evening sun!
For you, may life's calm stream, unruffled, run;
For you, its roses bloom, “without a thorn,”
And bright as morning, shine its evening sun!
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Yours be each joy, that easy affluence brings;
Each tranquil pleasure, that esteem can prove;
Each tender bliss, that from Affection springs,
And all the thrilling luxuries of love.
Each tranquil pleasure, that esteem can prove;
Each tender bliss, that from Affection springs,
And all the thrilling luxuries of love.
May not a tear in Emma's eyelid melt,
But that, which flows to meet her Edwin's kiss;
May not a throb in Edwin's breast be felt,
But that, which palpitates for Emma's bliss!
But that, which flows to meet her Edwin's kiss;
May not a throb in Edwin's breast be felt,
But that, which palpitates for Emma's bliss!
And when life's drama, like some worn out toy,
No more shall dazzle with its wonted charms;
Like old Anchises from the flames of Troy,
May Age retire in young Affection's arms!
No more shall dazzle with its wonted charms;
Like old Anchises from the flames of Troy,
May Age retire in young Affection's arms!
Soft as the ringdove breathes her dying coo,
Serene, as Hesper gleams the dusky heath,
Be Emma's sigh, that wafts the world adieu;
Be Edwin's smile that gilds the lip of death.
Serene, as Hesper gleams the dusky heath,
Be Emma's sigh, that wafts the world adieu;
Be Edwin's smile that gilds the lip of death.
But, Penseroso, hush thy dirge-toned string!
Each sprightly note should trill a fuge of mirth;
And, ere their souls to yon bright skies you wing,
Let them enjoy a prior heaven on earth!
Each sprightly note should trill a fuge of mirth;
And, ere their souls to yon bright skies you wing,
Let them enjoy a prior heaven on earth!
| The works, in verse and prose, of the late Robert Treat Paine, Jun. Esq | |