The ditch was deep,--the rain had caused a flood, -
The foot-bridge fail'd,--he plunged beneath the deep,
And slept, if truth were his, th'eternal sleep.
These have we named; on life's rough sea they sail,
With many a prosperous, many an adverse gale!
Where passion soon, like powerful winds, will rage,
And prudence, wearied, with their strength engage:
Then each, in aid, shall some companion ask,
For help or comfort in the tedious task;
And what that help--what joys from union flow,
What good or ill, we next prepare to show;
And row, meantime, our weary bark to shore,
As Spenser his--but not with Spenser's oar. {2}



PART II.



Nubere si qua voles, quamvis properabitis ambo,
Differ; habent parvae commoda magna morae.
OVID, Fasti, lib.iii.

MARRIAGES.

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