ODE XIV. ON MARRIAGE. RANG'D by all-ruling Heaven's design, That chance directs the whole. Yet nations wide adopt this plan: And the mere accident of birth Marks who shall rule or till the earth, While such the consecrated springs, Where Strength and Beauty stamp the breed, But to no favour'd race confin'd, All ranks alike may claim; The charm that softens manly grace, Denote (whate'er their various lot, The mates by heaven design'd. But peevish Age, and gloomy Pride, Far other maxims form'd our state: All orders, mixt of low and great, Compose the harmonious frame. Firm hath the mighty fabric stood, And Britain boasts her mingled blood In many a deathless name. Free should the sons of freedom wed Nor, heaping wealth on wealth, And Sickness blasting Health. But house for house, and grounds for grounds, And mutual bliss in balanc'd pounds, Each parent's thought employ: These, summ'd by Wingate's solid rules, And yet no niggard care confines As gorgeous shines the lavish son; The victim comes in rich attire, Thy child, O monster, save! Better the sacrificing knife, Plung'd in her bosom, end that life Thy fatal passion gave. With torch inverted Hymen stands; Compell'd, the falt'ring priest slow-ties The sacred rites profan'd. Go, wedded pair! all blithe and gay Invok'd the genial powers attend: Unheir'd, a mass of barren earth, Shall then an angel's form, conjoin'd Yet Nature will assert her claim: Thine, rigid Father! thine the blame, Thou shouldst have heard the Lover's voice, Nor curs'd the bridal day. Welcom'd by thee, chaste Love had shed His blessings o'er that dismal bed, Now wrapt in guilt and fear. The lisping babe had bless'd thy age, Hence all those baleful evils flow, Blank bastardy with blazon'd crest, Triumphant Vice proclaim. The high-born virgin, mimic, tries From Poverty, thro' shame. |