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On the Marriage of Sir Edward Turner and Miss Leigh.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


79

On the Marriage of Sir Edward Turner and Miss Leigh.

By titles dazzled, or by wealth misled,
Minds ill-agreeing shame the Nuptial Bed:
The Fair, obnoxious to a Sire's command,
When forc'd, without her heart, to yield her hand,
Beholds the guilty Priest with weeping eyes,
Like Iphigenia, dress'd for Sacrifice.
Or, grant a Pair by mutual vows combin'd,
And Cupid's torch with that of Hymen join'd;
Desire, that blindly courts the marry'd State,
Is far unable to support the weight:
The Fabric, tott'ring on its scanty Base,
Sinks in the ruins of a blooming face:
Or Beauty, tho' it lasts, in time may cloy;
Or, that capricious Foe to mortal Joy,
The Nameless Something, may its taste destroy.
But where the Judgment is allow'd its part,
And the clear head directs the beating heart,
The God of Love attends the matchless Pair;
For choice and merit fix the Rover there.
So was he fix'd by fair Cassandra's charms,
The pride and treasure of Eugenio's arms:
Her Person much, but more her Mind approv'd;
He saw her, and admir'd; he knew, and lov'd:
Discretion charm'd him in Cassandra's youth;
Her Virtue Softness crown'd; her Beauty, Truth:

80

The temper even, and the soul serene,
Inform'd her easy shape, and graceful mien;
And thro' the sparkling eyes the lively wit was seen.
In Her each gift of Soul and Body met;
And in pure gold the precious gem was set.
Eugenio triumph'd in a Lot so rare;
And doubly triumph'd in his Image there:
By strong resistless sympathy he mov'd,
And in the Fair his own perfections lov'd.
By Fortune much, by Education more,
By Nature most advanc'd, he shone before;
But She was wanting still to crown th' abundant store.
To the first Man in Eden's happy Seat
Heav'n granted Eve, and made his bliss complete:
Hymen, rejoice! in nuptial bands are ty'd
A Pair in virtues, years, and love, ally'd:
Content, and constant bliss, thy rites shall grace;
A fair succession, and a Patriot race:
Nature has done her part; and Fate prepares
To make all joy, as all desert is, theirs.