WHILST the young world was in minority, Much was indulged; no proximity Of equal blood could then style marriage Incestuous: but, in her riper age, Nature a politician grew, and laid A sin on wedlock that at home was made: That families being mixt, the world might so Both issue propagate, and friendship too. How will you two then Nature's frown abide, Who are in worthiness so near allied? For sure she meant that other virtues be Enlarged thus, as well as Amity. Civility you might have taught the North; She the South Chastity: but now this worth Is wanting unto both, 'cause you engross, And to yourselves communicate this loss. But since best tempers virtue soon admit, Your two well-tun'd complexions may so fit A second race, and natural goodness lend, That Nature shall not thus miss of her end. On, matchless couple, then; Hymen smiles: on, And by a perfect generation Such living statues of yourselves erect, That they those virtues which this age reject May teach the future, and to act restore, All honour, living only now in power. Be thou the Adam, she the Eve, that may People a true real Utopia. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HURRAHING IN HARVEST by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE COUNTRY CLERGYMAN'S TRIP TO CAMBRIDGE; ELECTION BALLAD by THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY EPIGRAM ENGRAVED ON THE COLLAR OF A DOG by ALEXANDER POPE AUTUMN (1) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 77. SOUL'S BEAUTY by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI ADVICE TO A LADY [IN AUTUMN] by PHILIP DORMER STANHOPE |