University of Virginia Library

An Introduction to a Wedding SONG. To the Right Honourable the Lord ------.

Wake Powers of Love, disclose your blooming charms,
May Cupid clasp me in his glowing arms.
Thy shining conquests merit lofty lays,
And fire the meanest thought to sing thy praise,
Hence sullen cares, expire in Lethe's strand,
And fix your dungeon cells in Pluto's land.
Haste, Sylvan choirs, your tribute Graces move,
And lead your glories to the fields of love;
While from the eastern folds the morning ray,
With heav'nly pomp, breaks up great Morton's day.
Morton, that noble celebrated name,
The seventh in peerage, as the first in fame.
See! see! the fair with easy trips obey,
And add new lustre to the gleams of day.
Serenest joy, fair Virtue's paragon,
And soft majestic notes employ the throng.
Some well-lung'd herald then did thrice proclaim,
And stretch'd his open throat on ev'ry name,
Or lord, or knight, professing arts or arms,
Who stray'd on title to Agatha's charms,
Streight to spring up, and there declare his right;
Justice soon knew her own, and scan'd their might.
All, but my lord, sunk down, and hid their face,
Commenc'd that instant mute, and slaves to Peace.
Her olive wand display'd, almighty Jove
Applauds his daughter for her sense of love.
The list'ning sun o'er-heard the welcome voice,
And with superior blaze attests his joys.
Burgundy starts, and pours the grateful juice,
An off'ring to the god for's pleasing news.
Even Cyprus, groaning with her liquid store,
Flows unconstrain'd, and will be shut no more.
Old Hymen, shatter'd with his length of toil,
Relents to youth, and courts a laughing while.
The Dreams, sepulcher'd Dons, in Morpheus' reign,
Are bless'd to breathe, and see the solemn train;
They think it favour, when allow'd to see
A bride, whose guardians Jove and Phœbus be.
The feather'd audience of the middle sky,
Are public heralds of their deity,
They heave in music, as they soar on high.
Heav'n's senate smiles upon their early care,
To see the great united with the fair.
Fame is a goddess, and surveys her own,
And loves all minions faithful to her throne.
This Empress calls, I must her charge obey,
Tho' courting honour, I do lose my way,
And like stun'd Phaeton, exalted stray;
While breathing instruments hung on your praise,
And vocal benches echo back the lays.