'That when the Sod upon the Sinner press'd, 'He, like the Saint, had everlasting Rest; 'That never Priest believ'd his Doctrines true, But would, for Profit, own himself a Jew, 'Or worship wood and stone, as honest Heathen do;'That Fools alone, on future Worlds rely, 'And all who die for Faith, deserve to die.' These Maxims,-part th' Attorney's Clerk profess'd, His own transcendant Genius found the rest. Our pious Matrons heard, and much amaz'd, Gaz'd on the Man and trembled as they gaz'd; And now his Face explor'd, and now his Feet, Man's dreaded Foe, in this Bad Man, to meet : But him our Drunkards as their Champion rais'd, . Their Bishop call'd, and as their Hero prais'd; Though most, when sober, and the rest, when sick, Had little question, whence his Bishoprick. But he, triumphant Spirit! all things dar'd, He poach'd the Wood and on the Warren snar'd; 'Twas his, at Cards each Novice to trepan, And call the Wants of Rogues the Rights of Man; Wild as the Winds, he let his Offspring rove, And deem'd the Marriage-Bond the Bane of Love. What Age and Sickness for a Man so bold, Had done, we know not ;-none beheld him old: By Night as Business urg'd, he sought the Wood, The Ditch was deep, the Rain had caus'd a Flood; The Foot-Bridge fail'd, he plung'd beneath the Deep, And slept, if Truth were his, th' eternal Sleep, These have we nam'd; on life's rough Sea they sail, With many a prosperous, many an adverse Gale; Where Passions soon, like powerful Winds, will rage, While wearied Prudence with their Strength engage; Then each, in Aid, shall some Companion ask, For Help or Comfort in the tedious Task; And what that Help-what Joys from Union flow, What Good or Ill, we next prepare to show; And row, meantime, our weary Bark ashore, AS SPENCER his-but not with SPENCER'S Oar. ARGUMENT. Previous Consideration necessary: yet not too long Delay.-Imprudent Marriage of old Kirk and his Servant:" his Apprehensions. Comparison between an ancient and youthful Partner to a young Man.-Prudence of Donald the Gardener.-Parish Wedding: the compelled Bridegroom: Day of Marriage, how spent.Relation of the Accomplishments of Phoebe Dawson, a rustic Beauty: her Lover: his Courtship: their Marriage: Misery of Precipitation.-The Wealthy Couple: Reluctance in the Husband, why?-Unusually fair Signatures in the Register: the common Kind.-Seduction of Bridget Dawdle, by Footman Daniel: her rustic Lover: her Return to him.—An Ancient Couple: three Comparisons on the Occasion. More pleasant View of Village Matrimony: Farmers celebrating the Day of Marriage: their Wives.-Reuben and Rachel an happy Pair: an Example of prudent Delay.-Reflections on their State who were not so prudent, and its Improvement towards the Termination of Life: an old Man so circumstanced.-Attempt to seduce a Village Beauty: Persuasion and Reply: the Event. |