 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
150
A WEDDING-SONG.
Ut ameris, amabilis esto.
I
See the springing Day from far,Usher'd by the Morning-Star!
Hear the Lark with upward Wing
Meeting Dawn, her Carol sing!
See the Sun in Eastern Skies
Joyous as a Bridegroom rise!
Wake, my Dear, and come away,
Smiling, greet the happy Day;
Ne'er was yet thy lovely Breast
Idly slow to my Request;
Now begin not to delay,
Dear, awake, and come away:
Join thy plighted Hand, and join
First thine Oraisons with mine:
II
If e'er thy kind paternal careJoin'd and bless'd the wedded Pair
With social dear domestick Joys,
Height'ning lonely Paradise;
In spotless Bonds ordain'd to be
Emblems of thy Church and Thee;
If e'er thy mightier Love decreed
Life from Jesu, Woman's Seed,
The Loss of Eden to retrieve,
Sprung from Mary, second Eve!
151
Shadow'd by the Nuptial Feast;
Heav'n, our last Wish and farthest Aim,
Mystick Marriage of the Lamb!
Show'r thine Influence from on high,
Author of the Nuptial Tye!
III
Quit not thine Olympick Snows,Juno, guarding Marriage Vows:
Venus, sleep in Ida's Grove,
Laughing Sea-born Queen of Love!
Cupid, banish'd hence away,
Idle Cupid, with her stay:
Here nor Hymen shall preside,
Clasp'd in Mantle Saffron-dy'd;
Wanton Graces dance, nor Hours
Scatter Odours, Leaves and Flow'rs,
Twist the blooming Wreath, nor spread
Rose and Myrtle where we tread:
All unfeign'd and real be,
Truth, transcending Poetry.
IV
Ye Virgins haste, my Bride prepare,Dress be now the Dear-one's Care;
Well-suited, unaffected, free,
Worthy Her, and worthy Me:
Nor poorly mean, nor costly vain,
Neat, and elegant, and plain.
Her Ornaments are Toys no more;
Love's engaging chymick Power,
152
Touches all things into Gold.
The Fair that unadorn'd can please,
Shines yet lovelier in her Dress;
Still wisely careful to remove
Slightest Hindrances of Love:
For nought that Love concerns is small,
All's important, solemn all.
V
Ope the hospitable Gate,Ope for Friendship, not for State,
Friends well-chosen enter here,
Equal, affable, sincere;
Cheap-bought Plenty, artless Store
Feed the Rich, and fill the Poor;
Converse cheer the sprightly Guest,
Cordial Welcome crown the Feast;
Easy Wit with Candour fraught,
Laughter genuine and unsought;
Jest from double Meaning free,
Blameless, harmless Jollity;
Mirth, that no repenting Gloom
Treasures for our Years to come.
VI
May social Life, so well begun,Glide with equal Tenor on:
May timely Fruit our Bliss improve,
Children, dearest Bonds of Love!
The darling Boy, the Daughter fair,
Objects of delightful Care!
153
Sportive clasp their Mother's Knee;
And oft from lisping Prattle find
Reason op'ning in their Mind;
While soothing Hopes our Hearts presage
Pleasures of our middle Age:
'Till rightly taught, the rising Brood,
Healthy, happy, wise, and good,
Fulfil our Hopes, and pay our Cares,
Glory of our hoary Hairs!
VII
Give, Oh give our Days to bless,Virtue, Source of Happiness!
Prudence, stifling Infant-Strife;
Friendship, Remedy of Life,
Trust, in mutual Faith secure;
Transport generous and pure,
Sparkling from the Soul within,
Never boasted, always seen:
Kind, while each their Care employs
Griefs to part, and double Joys,
Joys to Libertines unknown,
Fruits of Wedlock Truth alone;
Joys that Angels may approve,
All the Dignity of Love!
VIII
When late the Summons from aboveParts the Life, but not the Love,
Resign'd and calm may She or I
Teach Survivors how to die!
154
Void of Fear, and void of Pain!
For tedious Years may neither moan,
Sad, deserted, and alone;
May neither, long condemn'd to stay,
Wait their second Bridal Day,
Grant us, oh grant, Almighty Pow'r!
Soon to meet, and part no more,
In Heav'n, where Love and Joys are known
Only purer than our own!
| Poems on Several Occasions | |