To Amira on Her Marriage

While round you hourly gratulations rise,
And joy and happiness, (gay soothing sounds)
Salute your ear; accept the artless wish
That friendship dictates, breathing from the heart.

May gracious heav'n the happy union crown,
Propitious still and kind, with all the bliss
Which mortals can enjoy; may health, and peace,
And love, and friendship, guide the circling hours.
Soft roll the circling hours, serene and fair,
Still bright'ning as they roll: may true content
With kindly mixture sweeten ev'ry care,
Till scarce th' unpleasing tincture can be found.

But earthly bliss is ever mix'd with pain,
And thorns among its flow'ry pleasures grow.
May all the joys, the nobler, purer joys
Religion yields be yours; to fairer scenes,
And brighter prospects, may your hopes ascend;
While heav'n-born faith presents a charming glimpse
Of that immortal paradise on high,
Where pleasure blooms without a thorny care,
And friendship smiles beyond the reach of pain.