There was no great disparity of years,
Though much in temper; but they never clash'd,
They moved read more

There was no great disparity of years,
Though much in temper; but they never clash'd,
They moved like stars united in their spheres,
Or like the Rhone by Leman's waters wash'd,
Where mingled and yet separate appears
The river from the lake, all bluely dash'd
Through the serene and placid glassy deep,
Which fain would lull its river-child to sleep.

'Cause grace and virtue are within
Prohibited degrees of kin;
And therefore no true saint allows,
read more

'Cause grace and virtue are within
Prohibited degrees of kin;
And therefore no true saint allows,
They shall be suffer'd to espouse.

And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I
will make him an read more

And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I
will make him an help meet for him.

He that said it was not good for man to be alone, placed the
celibate amongst the inferior states read more

He that said it was not good for man to be alone, placed the
celibate amongst the inferior states of perfection.

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore
God hath joined together, let not man put read more

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore
God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Man and wife,
Coupled together for the sake of strife.

Man and wife,
Coupled together for the sake of strife.

Oh! how many torments lie in the small circle of a wedding ring.

Oh! how many torments lie in the small circle of a wedding ring.

To sit, happy married lovers; Phillis trifling with a plover's
Egg, while Corydon uncovers with a grace the Sally read more

To sit, happy married lovers; Phillis trifling with a plover's
Egg, while Corydon uncovers with a grace the Sally Lunn,
Or dissects the luck pheasant--that, I think, were passing
pleasant
As I sit along at present, dreaming darkly of a dun.

My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to
persuade my wife to marry me.

My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to
persuade my wife to marry me.