Classic Poem

When Peleus wedded on Thessalia 's Plain,
The silver-footed Regent of the Main,
The Gods came flocking to the Nuptial Feast,
Each left his Nectar to be Peleus ' Guest;
Jove laid his Scepter and his Thunders by,
In Amber Clouds descending from the Sky;
While Juno sat all-blooming by his Side,
With Charms like those which for the Apple vy'd;
Next, gayly-dancing, Hand in Hand there came,
The Vine-crown'd Youth, and Laughter-loving Dame;
Nor absent was the Trident-bearing God,
In Coral Chariot o'er the Waves he rode,
Bad the fierce Whirlwinds in their Caverns sleep,
And Calmness smile upon the glassy Deep;
Last came, prepar'd the Bridal Joys to tell,
Each green-rob'd Nereïd with her chorded Shell:
A Band of heav'nly Virtues, far more bright
Than fabled Gods, to grace this Pair delight;
Faith , pure-ey'd Nymph in snow-white Robes array'd,
Meek Modesty of every Eye afraid;
Honour with manly Front erect, appears,
Hymen , an ever-blazing Torch who bears,
And Love great God of Raptures—not the Boy
Who blindly wont to favour guilty Joy,
But who presiding o'er chaste Marriage-Hours,
All the soft Luxury of Fondness pours,
While no harsh Jars the mutual Bliss controul,
But Wish meets Wish, and Soul cements to Soul.
Hail, happy Pair! may ne'er your Pleasures cease,
May heart-felt Passion with your Years increase!

 Go, trifling Wits, insipidly deride
The constant Husband, and the tender Bride;
Rail at the real Bliss ye never knew,
Grow impotent and rotten in a Stew.