_The Song and Dances ended, ~Esop~ takes ~Euphronia~ and ~Oronces~ by the Hands, leading them forwards._ _Esop._ By this Time, my young eager Couple, 'tis probable you wou'd be glad to be alone; perhaps you'll have a Mind to go to Bed, even without your Supper; for Brides and Bridegrooms eat little on their Wedding-Night. But since, if Matrimony were worn as it ought to be, it wou'd, perhaps, sit easier about us than it usually does, I'll give you one Word of Counsel, and so I shall release you. When one is out of Humour, let the other be dumb. Let your Diversions be such, as both may have a Share in 'em. Never let Familiarity exclude Respect. Be clean in your Clothes, but nicely so in your Persons. Eat at one Table, lie in one Room, but sleep in two Beds: I'll tell the Ladies why: Turning to the Boxes. _In the sprightly Month of May, } When Males and Females sport and play, } And kiss and toy away the Day; } An eager Sparrow and his Mate, } Chirping on a Tree, were sat, } Full of Love----and full of Prate. } They talk'd of nothing but their Fires, Of raging Heats, and strong Desires, How true and faithful they wou'd be; Of eternal Constancy; Of this and that, and endless Joys, And a thousand more such Toys: Only Thing they apprehended, Was that their Lives wou'd be so short, They cou'd not finish half their Sport Before their Days were ended. But as from Bough to Bough they rove, They chanc'd at last In furious haste, On a Twig with Birdlime spread, (Want of a more downy Bed) To act a Scene of Love. Fatal it proved to both their Fires. For tho' at length they broke away, } And baulk'd the School-Boy of his Prey, } Which made him weep the live-long Day, } The Bridegroom, in the hasty strife, Was stuck so fast to his dear Wife, That tho' he us'd his utmost Art, He quickly found it was in vain, To put himself to further Pain, They never more must part. A gloomy Shade o'ercast his Brow; } He found himself----I know not how: } He look'd as Husbands often do. } Where-e'er he mov'd, he felt her still, She kiss'd him oft against his Will: Abroad, at Home, at Bed and Board, With favours she o'erwhelm'd her Lord. Oft he turn'd his Head away, } And seldom had a Word to say, } Which absolutely spoil'd her Play, } For she was better stor'd.