On the Marriage of Alex. Brodie of Brodie,

To Miss Mart Sleigh.

W HEN time was young, and innocence
With tender love govern'd this round,
No mean design to give offence
To constancy and truth was found:
All free from fraud, upon the flow'ry sward,
Lovers carest with fond and chaste regard.

From easy labours of the day,
Each pair to leafy bowers retir'd;
Contentment kept them ever gay,
While kind connubial sweets conspir'd,
With smiling quiet and balmy health, thro' life
To make the happy husband and the wife.

Our modern wits, in wisdom less,
With spirits weak, and wavering minds,
Void of resolve, poorly confess
They cannot relish aught that binds.
Let libertines of taste sae wond'rous nice,
Despise to be confin'd in paradise.

While Brodie with his beauteous Sleigh,
On purest love can safely feast,
Quaff raptures from her sparkling eye,
And judge of heav'n within her breast:
No dubious cloud to gloom upon his joy,
Possessing of what's good can never cloy.

Her beauty might for ever warm,
Altho' her soul were less divine;
The brightness of her mind could charm,
Did less her graceful beauties shine:
But both united, with full force inspire
The warmest wish, and the most lasting fire.

In your accomplish'd mate, young thane,
Without reserve ye may rejoice;
The Heav'ns your happiness sustain,
And all that think admire your choice.
Around your treasure circling arms entwine,
Be all thy pleasure her's, and her's be thine.

Rejoice, dear Mary, in thy youth,
The first of his brave ancient clan,
Whose soul delights in love and truth,
And view'd in every light a man
To whom the fates with liberal hand have given
Good sense, true honour, and a temper even.

When love and reason thus unite
An equal pair in sacred ties,
They gain the human bliss complete,
And approbation from the skies:
Since you approve, kind Heaven, upon them pour
The best of blessings to their latest hour.

To you who rule above the sun,
To you who fly in fluid air,
We leave to finish what 's begun,
Still to reward and watch the pair.
Thus far the muse, who did an answer wait,
And heard the gods name happiness their fate.