University of Virginia Library

[Oh, Marriage! Happiest, easiest, safest State]

Oh, Marriage! Happiest, easiest, safest State;
Let Debauchees and Drunkards scorn thy Rites,
Who, in their nauseous Draughts and Lusts, profane
Both thee and Heav'n, by whom thou wert ordain'd,
How can the Savage call it Loss of Freedom,
Thus to converse with, thus to gaze at
A faithful, beauteous Friend?
Blush not, my Fair One, that thy Love applauds thee.
Nor be it painful to my wedded Wife,
That my full Heart o'erflows in Praise of thee.
Thou art by Law, by Interest, Passion, mine:
Passion and Reason join in Love of thee.
Thus through a World of Calumny and Fraud,
We pass both unreproach'd, both undeceiv'd:
While in each others Interest and Happiness,
We without Art all Faculties employ,
And all our Senses without Guilt enjoy.