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...THE SLEEP by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE SISTER'S TRAGEDY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH NOONTIDE REST by ANTIPHILUS OF BYZANTIUM THE UNKNOWN DEAD by LEVI BISHOP THE DREADED TASK by MARGARET E. BRUNER THE CARLES OF DYSART by ROBERT BURNS THE HUNTER'S WIFE by PHOEBE CARY |