On a WEDDING.

On a WEDDING.

Hark! hark! how the bells ring, how happy the day, Now Thirsis makes Daphne his bride; See cheerful birds chirping on ev'ry green spray, And summer shines forth in its pride.

The lads and the lasses, so jocund and gay, Their happiness hail with a song; And Thirsis enchantingly pipes to their lay, Inspiring with mirth all the throng.

The bride and the bride groom then join in the dance And smiling trip nimbly around; The sprightly gay bride's-maids as nimbly advance, And answer their smiles with a bound.

With all marriage articles pen'd on the heart, The parties so sweetly agreed; They needed no lawyer, with quibbling art, Or parchment to draw up a deed.

For Love, the first blessing of blessings below, That Heaven to mortals can give, Was all the kind shepherdess had to bestow, And all that she wish'd to receive.