Previous Consideration necessary: yet not too long Delay--Imprudent Marriage of old Kirk and his Servant--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 Lucy Collins by Footman Daniel: her rustic Lover: her Return to him--An ancient Couple: Comparisons on the Occasion--More pleasant View of Village Matrimony: Farmers celebrating the Day of Marriage: their Wives--Reuben and Rachael, a 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. DISPOSED to wed, e'en while you hasten, stay; There's great advantage in a small delay: Thus Ovid sang, and much the wise approve This prudent maxim of the priest of Love; If poor, delay for future want prepares, And eases humble life of half its cares; If rich, delay shall brace the thoughtful mind, T'endure the ills that e'en the happiest find: Delay shall knowledge yield on either part, And show the value of the vanquish'd heart; The humours, passions, merits, failings prove, And gently raise the veil that's worn by Love; Love, that impatient guide!--too proud to think Of vulgar wants, of clothing, meat, and drink, Urges our amorous swains their joys to seize, And then, at rags and hunger frighten'd, flees: Yet not too long in cold debate remain; Till age refrain not--but if old, refrain. By no such rule would Gaffer Kirk be tried; First in the year he led a blooming bride, And stood a wither'd elder at her side. Oh! Nathan! Nathan! at thy years trepann'd, To take a wanton harlot by the hand! Thou, who wert used so tartly to express Thy sense of matrimonial happiness, Till every youth, whose banns at church were read, Strove not to meet, or meeting, hung his head; And every lass forebore at thee to look, A sly old fish, too cunning for the hook; And now at sixty, that pert dame to see, Of all thy savings mistress, and of thee; Now will the lads, rememb'ring insults past, Cry, "What, the wise one in the trap at last!" Fie! Nathan! fie! to let an artful jade The close recesses of thine heart invade; What grievous pangs! what suffering she'll impart! And fill with anguish that rebellious heart; For thou wilt strive incessantly, in vain, By threatening speech thy freedom to regain: But she for conquest married, nor will prove A dupe to thee, thine anger or thy love; Clamorous her tongue will be: --of either sex, She'll gather friends around thee and perplex Thy doubtful soul;--thy money she will waste