 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
232
EARTH, AIR, and WATER.
A Fable.
You ask me, Jack, without disguise,
(First hinting I am wond'rous wise)
What are my thoughts of Nan?—While she
The same inquires concerning thee:
To wedlock both I know inclin'd,
Yet both, I know, are passion-blind;—
That you're a Miser, Jack, she knows not,
That she's Extravagant she shows not;
That you're a Brute she can't behold,
Nor you, that she's an errant Scold:
She dreams not you'll be soon in jail,
Nor you, that Miss is—something frail:
In short, the match, if match it prove,
Will be a match of Hate—not Love:—
Where passions, humors, age agree
Wedlock's celestial harmony;
Where these are wanting, 'tis a curse,
'Tis Hell—if possible, 'tis worse.—
You ask me for Advice, I give it;
And yet I know you'll not receive it;
I know, what here I write you'll show her,
I know your weakness won't forego her;
I know full well you'll both unite,
And pelt me with your keenest spite:—
Yet ere you make your dread attack,
List to a Fable, simple Jack.
(First hinting I am wond'rous wise)
What are my thoughts of Nan?—While she
The same inquires concerning thee:
To wedlock both I know inclin'd,
Yet both, I know, are passion-blind;—
That you're a Miser, Jack, she knows not,
That she's Extravagant she shows not;
That you're a Brute she can't behold,
Nor you, that she's an errant Scold:
She dreams not you'll be soon in jail,
Nor you, that Miss is—something frail:
In short, the match, if match it prove,
Will be a match of Hate—not Love:—
Where passions, humors, age agree
Wedlock's celestial harmony;
Where these are wanting, 'tis a curse,
'Tis Hell—if possible, 'tis worse.—
You ask me for Advice, I give it;
And yet I know you'll not receive it;
I know, what here I write you'll show her,
I know your weakness won't forego her;
I know full well you'll both unite,
And pelt me with your keenest spite:—
Yet ere you make your dread attack,
List to a Fable, simple Jack.
233
Fire, Earth, and Water, neighbours three,
In union long had wont agree;—
You're to observe tho' by the bye,
That Earth had most prudentially
'Twixt Fire and Water fix'd his station,
To guard 'gainst future altercation,
And by his wisdom and great care,
He kept his neighbours on the square;—
For tho' in nature differing wide,
They liv'd in peace, whilst Earth was guide,
'Till Love, who warms the coldest heart,
Pierc'd fair Miss Water with a dart,
And breathing strong on Fire his sighs,
Blew the Youth's flame above the skies.—
To Earth the Lovers both apply,
They held his prudence wond'rous high,
In Hymen's bonds if 'twere not right,
Like virtuous lovers to unite;
Earth, all amazement and surprize,
Thus to the Bedlam Pair replies;—
“You're sure distracted, or 'tis plain,
“The thought cou'd ne'er infect your brain;
“Shou'd you in union ever meet,
“Your mutual ruin were compleat:—
“Between You fix'd my situation,
“'Till now has prov'd your preservation;
“But shou'd you wed—sure as a gun
“You'll both be utterly undone:—
“You might as well—'tis all a jest—
“Think of uniting East and West.”
In union long had wont agree;—
You're to observe tho' by the bye,
That Earth had most prudentially
'Twixt Fire and Water fix'd his station,
To guard 'gainst future altercation,
And by his wisdom and great care,
He kept his neighbours on the square;—
For tho' in nature differing wide,
They liv'd in peace, whilst Earth was guide,
'Till Love, who warms the coldest heart,
Pierc'd fair Miss Water with a dart,
And breathing strong on Fire his sighs,
Blew the Youth's flame above the skies.—
To Earth the Lovers both apply,
They held his prudence wond'rous high,
In Hymen's bonds if 'twere not right,
Like virtuous lovers to unite;
Earth, all amazement and surprize,
Thus to the Bedlam Pair replies;—
“You're sure distracted, or 'tis plain,
“The thought cou'd ne'er infect your brain;
“Shou'd you in union ever meet,
“Your mutual ruin were compleat:—
“Between You fix'd my situation,
“'Till now has prov'd your preservation;
“But shou'd you wed—sure as a gun
“You'll both be utterly undone:—
“You might as well—'tis all a jest—
“Think of uniting East and West.”
234
This sage advice the Lovers heard,
But, Lovers-like, their own preferr'd:
By Passion fool'd, they wed, they kiss;
Ruin takes place of fancy'd bliss;
Such chaos, uproar, and vexation,
All Hell seem'd broke from its foundation;
Not Phaeton, from chariot tumbling,
The world on fire—the Gods all grumbling,
Made greater Tintemar and rattling,
Than this new wedded pair in battling;
She boil'd with rage, he roar'd with pain,
She quench'd, he roar'd, she quench'd again;
No friendly Earth to heal their strife—
'Tis dang'rous parting Man and Wife—
'Till pitying Death with friendly stroke,
Finish'd their Beings in a Smoke.
But, Lovers-like, their own preferr'd:
By Passion fool'd, they wed, they kiss;
Ruin takes place of fancy'd bliss;
Such chaos, uproar, and vexation,
All Hell seem'd broke from its foundation;
Not Phaeton, from chariot tumbling,
The world on fire—the Gods all grumbling,
Made greater Tintemar and rattling,
Than this new wedded pair in battling;
She boil'd with rage, he roar'd with pain,
She quench'd, he roar'd, she quench'd again;
No friendly Earth to heal their strife—
'Tis dang'rous parting Man and Wife—
'Till pitying Death with friendly stroke,
Finish'd their Beings in a Smoke.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |