To a Friend on his Marriage

A Choice so bless'd Heav'n only could inspire
To give a Fore-taste of the Joys above;
How gaily native Innocence lights up
The Charms of Beauty's pow'rful Glance, and shines
Conspicuous in her lovely Smile! mature
In Wit, above her tender Years, she seems
Design'd to show Perfection in her Dawn;
Where Fruits and Blossoms charm at once our View,
And all the Seasons meet the early Spring.
Let Wealth no more o'er tender Hearts prevail
With Magick Glitter, nor debase the Mind
To barter gen'rous Love for sordid Gold;
Gold from reluctant Nature's Bowels rent,
The Bane of Peace and Pest of Humankind.
See here! ye Avaritious, treasur'd Gems
Through Chrystal Caskets blaze, Gems brighter far
Than Orient Pearl or India's sparkling Stone,
Whose never-fading Lustre needs no Foil,
On humble Ground in native Meekness set.
Can hoarded Pelf with such a Fund compare?
To thousands Slave, the Miser's Idol God,
The Spendthrift's Curse, when Beauty shines enrich'd
From Heav'n's inestimable boundless Store,
With all the Virtues that adorn the Mind
For social Converse and the Joys of Life,
To sweeten Cares, and bless the marry'd State:
When these united in one Bosom dwell,
What Monarch, on his gorgeous Throne elate,
Shall proudly dare to claim so rich a Prize?
And yet to thee her plighted Hand she gave;
Nor staid, I ween, her faithful Heart behind.
In her Embrace be thou as fully bless'd,
As mortal Essences can be, who Bliss
Consummate never here can know,
Since Cares intruding thrust themselves between,
And Pain oft petrifies the Couch of Down:
From these her Arms a sure Asylum yield,
Where ev'ry anxious Care shall refuge find,
And chang'd to Joy corrode the Heart no more.

May Years returning in soft Circles roll,
And lengthen'd Days increase your growing Loves,
Till Time shall Passion into Friendship turn;
When hoary Wisdom makes the good Exchange,
And Reason's Pow'r those Hands shall faster tye,
Which Fancy first and tender Wishes join'd.