Classic Poem

While artful dames and gay coquettes
Catch fops and fools in cobweb nets;
While giddy girls wed hoary swains,
And barter happiness for gains;
While misers, anxious to be great,
With fortunes take the wives they hate;
Your wiser plan has proved 'tis right
The heart should with the hand unite;
And those who would their joys improve,
Must build their hopes on mutual love.
Whoe'er attend to Reason's voice;
Will thus with prudence make their choice;
On this hinge hangs the chance in life,
Of peace, or war, 'twixt man and wife;
And such as disregard this caution,
May shipwreck'd be on wedlock's ocean.