A Marriage Below Zero

I seek no sympathies, nor need; The thorns which I have reaped are of the tree I planted,—they have torn me.—and I bleed: I should have known what fruit would spring from each a seed."4em

Soft love, spontaneous tree, its parted root Must from two hearts with equal vigour shoot; Whilst each delighted and delighting gives The pleasing ecstacy which each receives: Cherish'd with hope, and fed with joy it grows; Its cheerful buds their opening bloom disclose, And round the happy soul diffusive odour flows. If angry fate that mutual care denies, The fading plant bewails its due supplies; Wild with despair, or sick with grief, it dies."Prior.

/Introduction/ /Chapter I/ /Chapter II/ /Chapter III/ /Chapter IV/ /Chapter V/ /Chapter VI/ /Chapter VII/ /Chapter VIII/ /Chapter IX/ /Chapter X/ /Chapter XI/ /Chapter XII/ /Chapter XIII/ /Chapter XIV/ /Chapter XV/ /Chapter XVI/ /Chapter XVII/ /Chapter XVIII/ /Chapter XIX/ /Chapter XX/ /Chapter XXI/ /Chapter XXII/ /Chapter XXIII/ /Chapter XXIV/ /Chapter XXV/