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The Parish Register by George Crabbe
page 31 of 84 (36%)
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;
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