Classic Poem

The homage of this joyful day
Shall I alone neglect to pay?
Shall I, who most sincerely feel,
Be last to testify my zeal?
Hail marriage! heav'n mysterious law
The closer kindred souls to draw,
To strengthen love's delightful bands,
And join to hearts united hands:
More happy far, than those who're free,
Who wear the chains impos'd by thee.
The brave and wise deserve to share
Peculiar favour of the fair;
Who live to virtue and to fame,
Love, the reward of merit, claim:
For female beauty e'er will have
Admirers in the wise and brave;
Love still most powerfully retains
The best and noblest in its chains.
Your union may each joy await
Of marriage in its happiest state,
May you, my friend, each pleasure find,
When beauty is to merit kind!
And from your bed may children rise,
Daughters as fair, and sons as wife,
In whom your likeness we may view,
And see your worth again renew!