Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

'Twas Morn: But Theron still his Pillow prest:
(His Annabella's Charms improv'd his Rest.)
An Angel Form, the Daughter of the Skies,
Descending blest; or seem'd to bless his Eyes;
White from her Breast a dazzling Vestment roll'd,
With Stars bespangled and celestial Gold.
She mov'd, and Odours, wide, the Circuit fill'd;
She spake, and Honey from her Lips distill'd.
“Behold, illustrious comes, to bless thy Arms,
Thy Annabella, breathing Love and Charms!
O melting Mildness, undissembled Truth!
Fair Flow'r of Age, yet blushing Bloom of Youth!
Fair without Art, without design admir'd,
Prais'd by the Good, and by the Wise desir'd.
By Art and Nature taught and form'd to please,
With all the sweet Simplicity of Ease.

150

In publick courteous—for no private End;
At Home—a Servant; and Abroad—a Friend.
Her gentle Manners, unaffected Grace,
And animated Sweetness of her Face,
Her faultless Form, by Decency refind,
And bright, unsullied Sanctity of Mind,
The Christian Graces breathing in her Breast,
Her—Whole shall teach Thee to be more than Blest.

'Tis Virtues Rays that point her sparkling Eyes,
Her Face is beauteous for her Soul is wise.
As from the Sun refulgent Glories roll,
Which feed the Starry Host and fire the Pole,
So stream upon her Face the Beauties of her Soul.
Tho' the Dove's languish melts upon her Eye,
And her Cheeks mantle with the Eastern Sky,
When Seventy on her Temples sheds its Snow,
Dim grow her Eyes and Cheeks forget to glow,
Good-Nature shall the purple Loss supply,
Good-Sense shine brighter than the sparkling Eye:
In beauteous Order round and round shall move,
Love cool'd by Reason, Reason warm'd by Love.

151

Receive Heav'ns kindest Blessing! And regard
This Blessing as thy Virtue's best reward.
When Beauty wakes her fairest Forms to charm,
When Musick all her Powr's of Sound to warm,
Her golden Floods when wanton Freedom rolls,
And Plenty pours Herself into our Bowls;
When with tumultuous Throbs our Pulses beat,
And dubious Reason totters on her Seat,
The Youth how steady, how resolv'd the Guide
Which stems the full luxuriant, pleasing Tide!
For These, and Virtues such as These is given
Thy Annabella! O belov'd of Heav'n!—
Hail Marriage! everlasting be thy Reign!
The Chain of Being is thy golden Chain.
From hence Mankind, a growing Race depend,
Began with Nature, shall with Nature end.
The Mists, which stain'd thy Lustre, break away,
In Glory lessen, and refine to Day:
No more the Jest of Wits, of Fools the Scorn,
Which God made Sacred, and which Priests adorn.

152

Ascend the Bed, while genial Nature pours
Her balmy Blessings round and nectar-Show'rs.
And lo! the Future opens on my Eyes,
I see soft Budds, and smiling Flowr's arise:
The Human Blossoms every charm display,
Unfold their Sweets, and beautify the Day.
The Father's Virtues in the Sons combine;
The Mother's Graces in the Daughters shine.
So where an Angel spreads his Dovelike Wing
Young Lawrels sprout, and tender Myrtles spring;
Sweet Dews descending consecrate the Ground,
And opens a new Paradise around!
I see!”—But here the Scenes which blaz'd behind
Her Fancy dazzled, and dissolv'd His Mind.
He woke: yet still He thinks He sees and Hears;
Till real Sounds salute his ravish'd Ears:
“—Arise! the Bride invites Thee to be blest?”
He rose.—But Silence only speaks the Rest.