History of two brothers misfortunes/The Way to get Married
The WAY to get MARRIED.
Come hither, ye belles, aye and likewise ye beaus,
Come hither, and mind what I have to express,
’Tis the way to get married I mean to disclose,
A way of some moment you all must confess.
Physicians, its known, for advice claim a fee,
But I, oh! I’m not by self interest carried,
And so you are welcome to my recipe,
Which is if you like it—the way to get married.
Now lovers attend, and I hope there’s ⟨some⟩ here!
Don’t trifle too long about this thing ⟨or⟩ that,
But when you are bent on an object so ⟨dear⟩,
Let prudence direct you, and mind ⟨what⟩ you’re at:
To love, and be lov’d, is the highest of ⟨joy⟩,
Then be not, I beg, by indifference ⟨carried⟩,
Let honour and truth all your actions ⟨employ⟩,
Which is, if you like it—the way to ⟨get⟩ married.
Tho’ money may sometimes be deem’d ⟨very⟩ well,
Yet riches can never true pleasures ⟨impart⟩;
’Tis love, and love only, each care can ⟨repel⟩;
’Tis love, and love only, that ⟨conquers⟩ the heart!
Then make it your study to follow my ⟨plan⟩,
All you who live single, and too long ⟨have⟩ tarried,
Court with zeal, like true lovers, as soon ⟨as⟩ you can,
Which is, if you like it—the way to ⟨get⟩ married.