 | Poems on several occasions |  |
TO MR. JEWEL, ON HIS MARRIAGE.
Then it is done,—the' important work is done!
Cæsar at length has passed the Rubicon!
Let unresolving doubts be lost in air:
Outstrip that can, and follow him that dare!
Now all, unblamed, may taste the marriage-sweet,—
Or Fitz long-pondering, or myself discreet.
If fix'd, whene'er they please may take their turn
“The' adviser Juson or the lingerer Bourne:”
True Protestants at last! 'tis now no crime
To wed; for custom varies with the time.
Cæsar at length has passed the Rubicon!
Let unresolving doubts be lost in air:
Outstrip that can, and follow him that dare!
Now all, unblamed, may taste the marriage-sweet,—
Or Fitz long-pondering, or myself discreet.
If fix'd, whene'er they please may take their turn
“The' adviser Juson or the lingerer Bourne:”
True Protestants at last! 'tis now no crime
To wed; for custom varies with the time.
A proverb just the management upbraids
Of wives by bachelors, and sons by maids.
The wedded pair can watch with quicker eye,
Rejoiced the parents' fondness to supply,
When he the yearnings of a father knows,
And she the' experience of a mother's throes:
So shall the doting sire his darling heir
Intrust with less reluctance to thy care.
Of wives by bachelors, and sons by maids.
The wedded pair can watch with quicker eye,
Rejoiced the parents' fondness to supply,
When he the yearnings of a father knows,
And she the' experience of a mother's throes:
511
Intrust with less reluctance to thy care.
Honest and just, who darest thy deeds display!
(More than for Bentley man on earth can say;)
Who threatening danger view'st with careless eye,
Though clouds low-gathering blacken all the sky,
Resolved love's pleasing dictates to perform,
To' outfly the whirlwind and prevent the storm,
Wisely to gather rose-buds while you may;
For who to-morrow dies, should love to-day.
Let ruling Whigs the disaffected see
Increased in numbers, and increased by thee;
While infant Tories swell the teeming womb
With slaves for tyrant Walpoles yet to come.
(More than for Bentley man on earth can say;)
Who threatening danger view'st with careless eye,
Though clouds low-gathering blacken all the sky,
Resolved love's pleasing dictates to perform,
To' outfly the whirlwind and prevent the storm,
Wisely to gather rose-buds while you may;
For who to-morrow dies, should love to-day.
Let ruling Whigs the disaffected see
Increased in numbers, and increased by thee;
While infant Tories swell the teeming womb
With slaves for tyrant Walpoles yet to come.
'Tis pass'd; and to recall the fleeting hour
Be distant from your will as from your power.
Loving, be loved; believing, be believed;
And undeceiving each, and undeceived.
Be female arts and windings far away,
And male aspiring to tyrannic sway:
Mild to command be thou; she, joyful to obey.
Choose rather lord to be than to appear;
Resolved, not proud; and constant, not severe.
Nor many words to praise the state employ;
Your peace unboasted, and unseen your joy:
Except, when transport unawares shall rise,
And conscious friendship sparkle from your eyes;
When smiles unbid the secret shall display,
Far more revealing than the tongue can say.
To crown your joys should numerous issue join,
And timely clusters load the fruitful vine,
May all impartial tenderness partake,
The babes be fondled for the parents' sake.
Yet still let plighted faith superior be;
Nor praise the fruit to slighting of the tree:
No favourite child a dangerous rival prove;
But nature powerful ever yield to love.
Be distant from your will as from your power.
Loving, be loved; believing, be believed;
And undeceiving each, and undeceived.
Be female arts and windings far away,
And male aspiring to tyrannic sway:
Mild to command be thou; she, joyful to obey.
Choose rather lord to be than to appear;
Resolved, not proud; and constant, not severe.
Nor many words to praise the state employ;
Your peace unboasted, and unseen your joy:
Except, when transport unawares shall rise,
And conscious friendship sparkle from your eyes;
When smiles unbid the secret shall display,
Far more revealing than the tongue can say.
512
And timely clusters load the fruitful vine,
May all impartial tenderness partake,
The babes be fondled for the parents' sake.
Yet still let plighted faith superior be;
Nor praise the fruit to slighting of the tree:
No favourite child a dangerous rival prove;
But nature powerful ever yield to love.
Should e'er—though Heaven avert it!—should your mind
Be prone to murmurs, or to rage inclined,
Early advised, this obvious truth believe,—
That you of Adam sprang, and she of Eve.
Since Eden lost, no Paradise we boast;
But who expect the least, enjoy the most.
Be prone to murmurs, or to rage inclined,
Early advised, this obvious truth believe,—
That you of Adam sprang, and she of Eve.
Since Eden lost, no Paradise we boast;
But who expect the least, enjoy the most.
| Poems on several occasions | |