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 Marriage, how spent - Relation of the Accomplishments of Phœbe 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,