Then muster your forces and stand forth unyielding,
In the name of Humanity heed not his rage.
Mind not his blandishments—evil still gilding—
But ever determine to war with him wage.
Lend, lend a hand! Lend, lend a hand!
In this monster's overthrow firmly now stand.
Christians, arouse you! Quick, up and be doing!
For help look to God's own Omnipotent Arm!
Let no Tempter charm with the soft voice of wooing,
Or frighten your hearts by the sounds of alarm.
Lend, lend a hand! Lend, lend a hand!
'Midst trials and dangers like true heroes stand.
VERSES WRITTEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER READING HORACE SMITH'S "BACHELOR'S FARE."
1854.
He who wrote these lively verses
Hath his talents misemployed,
While he marriage ills rehearses—
The conjugal life asperses
Which so many have enjoyed.
And each brown or blue eyed charmer,
Let her rank be high or low,
Must have felt such verses harm her—
Must have felt her cheek grow warmer
With just indignation's glow.
Were he then as bachelor living
He might speak of bachelor life.
But such men need not be giving
Crabbed views of man and wife.
If he were to fair one married
Greater still would be the shame;
It would prove love had miscarried,
He alone perhaps to blame.
Were it shown that he was jesting,
Jests like this with ills are rife;
Poets should be still attesting
This plain truth—Mankind are blest in
Chaste and sweet Conjugal Life.
Marriage is of God's ordaining,
Serving purpose wise and good.
Those who are from it abstaining,
Should be found always refraining
From treating it in jesting mood.