Classic Poem

An Ode .

I.

A USPICIOUS sprung the Morning into Light,
By Love selected from the golden Tide
Of Time, illustrious with peculiar White ,
And mended from the Blushes of the Bride .

II.

The Muse observ'd the fond-approaching Hour,
And thus her Philo 's gentle Ear addrest.
" Behold, descending from yon Maiden Tow'r
The beauteous Object of thy Eyes and Breast.

III.

Fair issuing, down the Hill I see her move,
Like the sweet Morn, in Dews and Blushes gay:
You, like the Bridegroom Sun, her Charms approve;
And warm her dawning Glories into Day.

IV.

I own the radiant Magic of her Eyes,
But more the Graces of her Soul admire;
Those may lay Traps for Lovers, Fops and Flies,
But These the Husband and the Muse inspire.

V.

A Husband is a venerable Name!
O happy State, when Heart is link'd to Heart!
Nor less the Honour of the Wedded-Dame:
Sweet Interchange! which only Death can part.

VI.

O blest with gentle Manners, graceful Ease;
Gay, yet not trifling; serious, yet not grave;
Skillful, to charm the Wits; the Wise, to please;
Tho' beauteous, humble; and tho' tender, brave.

VII.

Riches and Honours wait on either Name:
But They in Life are but the last Desert:
Your richer Happiness and fairer Fame,
Shall be the good Behaviour of the Heart .

VIII.

When such the Wonders both of Form and Mind,
What Rapture fancy'd, Reason will approve;
By Time your Inclinations be refin'd;
And Youth, be spent in Passion; Age in Love? "

IX.

Thus far the Muse. When Hymen , from the Sky,
The Lovers in the Band of Concord ty'd;
The Virtues and the Graces too were by,
And Venus left her Cestus with the Bride .