Till every Danger in your way be past, And then she gently, mildly breathes her last; Rich you arrive, in Port awhile remain, And for a second Venture sail again. For this, blithe _Donald_ southward made his way, And left the Lasses on the Banks of _Tay_; Him to a neighbouring Garden Fortune sent, Whom we beheld, aspiringly content: Patient and mild he sought the Dame to please, Who rul’d the Kitchen and who bore the Keys; Fair _Lucy_ first, the Laundry’s Grace and Pride, With smiles and gracious looks, her Fortune tried; But all in vain she prais’d his “pawky Eyne,” Where never fondness was for _Lucy_ seen; Him the mild _Susan_, boast of Dairies, lov’d, And found him civil, cautious, and unmov’d; From many a fragrant Simple, _Catharine_’s skill, Drew Oil, and Essence from the boiling Still; But not her Warmth, nor all her winning Ways, From his cool phlegm could _Donald_’s spirit raise; Of Beauty heedless, with the Merry mute, To Mistress _Dobson_ he preferr’d his suit; There prov’d his Service, there address’d his Vows, And saw her Mistress,--Friend,--Protectress,--Spouse: A Butler now, he thanks his powerful Bride, And like her Keys keeps constant at her side. Next at our Altar stood a luckless Pair, Brought by strong Passions and a Warrant there; By long rent cloak, hung loosely, strove the Bride, From ev’ry eye, what all perceiv’d, to hide. While the Boy-Bridegroom, shuffling in his pace, Now hid awhile and then expos’d his Face; As Shame alternately with Anger strove, The Brain, confus’d with muddy Ale, to move; In haste and stammering he perform’d his part, And look’d the Rage that rankled in his heart; (So will each Lover inly curse his fate, Too soon made happy and made wise too late;) I saw his Features take a savage gloom, And deeply threaten for the days to come; Low spake the Lass, and lisp’d and minc’d the while, Look’d on the Lad and faintly try’d to smile; With soft’ned speech and humbled tone she strove, To stir the embers of departed Love; While he a Tyrant, frowning walk’d before, Felt the poor Purse and sought the Public-door, She sadly following in submission went, And saw the final Shilling foully spent; Then to her Father’s hut the Pair withdrew, And bade to Love and Comfort long adieu! Ah! fly temptation, Youth, refrain! refrain! I preach for ever; but I preach in vain!