MATRIMONY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 92, 23 February 1863, Page 2

MATRIMONY.

To wed, or not to wed—that is the question; Whether ’tis happier in the mind to stifle The heart, and tumults ol’ outrageous passion; Or with some prudent fair in solemn contract Of matrimony join. To have—to hold— No more—and by that “have” to say we end The heart-ache, and the thousand love-sick pangs Of celibacy—’twerc a consummation Devoutly to be wished. In nuptial band To join till death dissolves—ay, there’s the rub; Tor in that space what sharp regret may come. When we have ta’cn our leave of liberty. Must give ns pause. There’s the respect That slacks our speed in suing for a change— [lors Tlse, who would bear the scoffs and sneers which bachoU hen aged feel—the pains and fluttering fevers Which each new face must give to roving fancy, When he might rid himself at once of all liy a bare Yes. Who would with patience hoar To frot and linger out a single life. But that the dread of something yet untried, Rome hazard in a state from whose strict bond Death only can release, puzzles the will, And makes ns rather choose those ills wo have, Than fly to others which we fancy greater ? This last reflection makes ua slow and wary. Tilling the duteous mind with dreadful thoughts Of ciirtain-lcctures, jealousies and cares, Gentility’s exi enscs linendrapers’ hills, And those domestic broils, entailed on wedlock. Which to avoid, should be our constant earc Eschewing, as the plague, the marriage yoke. J. A. Napier, 19th February, ISG3.