Classic Poem

If ('mid the Joys that crown thy happy Choice,)
Thy Ear has Leisure for the Muse 's Voice;
Thou to my Heart by lasting Bonds endear'd,
Grac'd by thy Favours, by thy Converse cheer'd:
Wilt thou, best Friend! this Debt of Love receive,
And in thy Smiles a pleas'd Reception give?
Tho' late my grateful Numbers I employ,
Warm are my Wishes for thy nuptial Joy.

In Manhood's Bloom, by virtuous Passions sway'd,
The graceful Youth betroths th' accomplish'd Maid ,
O may each Planet of benignant Pow'r
Mark with white Omens that auspicious Hour!
Serene as o'er thy blissful Parents shed
Indulgent Rays, and bless'd their genial Bed:
A choice, distinguish'd Pair; nor less shall prove
The bright Example of your mutual Love.
In thee thy generous Sire 's lov'd Form we find,
And mark the nearer 'Semblance of his Mind;
In thy young Breast his Virtues all reside,
And all thy Mother 's grace thy lovely Bride .
If thy fair Pattern might our Youth engage,
No longer Vice shou'd taint th' enormous Age.
Chaste Love alone shou'd warm each manly Breast,
And Marriage be no more an impious Jest.
Marriage! wife Heaven's appointed Law, to bind
In just Restraints th' ungovern'd Human Kind:
From thee Relation , all the sacred Names
Of Husband, Parent, Son , derive their Claims;
Pure Instinct! Gift of Nature's purer Lord,
To Man's due Reverence be thy Rights restor'd!
Wide may thy gentle Rule its Empire raise,
And from this Pair acquire distinguish'd Praise.

And you, blest Lovers, by Desert ally'd,
The worthiest Bridegroom , and the loveliest Bride!
Live long! live happy! — — for the honour'd Pair
Oft shall I breathe to Heav'n this duteous Pray'r.
And if wise Providence the Wish approves,
And a fair Offspring crown their spotless Loves,
May the priz'd Father in his Race be feen,
His graceful Person, and his winning Mien:
But O! in lively Portrait be express'd,
The Virtues that enrich his gen'rous Breast;
His sweet Humanity , his steady Truth ,
And the pure Zeal of his religious Youth :
Like him a Friend to human Race profest,
To Man a Blessing, and by Mankind blest.
May thy fair Issue bloom with Female Charms,
Bright as the Mother brings to bless thy Arms;
Thy Age's Comfort, when thy useful Date,
By Time protracted, shall decline to Fate.
Far be th' averted Hour, long Years behind,
Ere this close Union be by Fate disjoin'd:
And when (tho' late) at Heav'n's appointing Will
Thy finish'd Life must Nature's Claim fulfil,
When thy dear Saviour, on that joyful Coast,
Shall safe receive thee from th' Angelic Host,
May thy pleas'd Judge the Crown prepar'd bestow;
— Thy Merit will embalm thy Name below .