Another CHOICE

If on this busy theatre of life, My destiny allots me to a wife, Auspicious powers! Oh, may my nuptial prove The calm result of judgment mix'd with love: O may I ne'er precipitately wed, By a false flame of sudden passion led; But may my love be permanently plac'd On that which ne'er can be by time effac'd. 'Tis merit which alone can point the dart, Which finds a passage to my guarded heart. The gay coquette and artful jilt shall be With the starch'd prude, alike contemn'd by me: The heiress too, who gains into her arms, More lovers by her thousands, than her charms, Has not the least allurements in my eyes: Her dress, wit, wealth and airs I all despise. No interested views can sway my mind, I'm to all charms but those of merit blind. O may the maid to whom I yield my heart, Be free alike from vanity and art; May ev'ry virtue grace her spotless breast, May she each folly of her sex detest. May foul-mouth'd scandal ne'er pollute her tongue, Ne'er may she be by ranc'rous envy stung; May affectation, coquetry and pride, And ev'ry vice which is to them ally'd Be foreign to her bosom; may each grace Inhabit there, as in her lovely face; May wit thro' all her converse be diffus'd, But may it still. good natur'dly be us'd: May gaiety and prudence e'er be join'd With social sweetness in her cheerful mind: May her soul breathe a true benevolence, May virtue ev'ry action influence; My she by ev'ry act herself endear, Gentle, obliging, modest, free, sincere; May she each idle dissipation slight, And ever in domestic care delight. (If's not too little) may becoming dress A plain and easy elegance express, May it with taste be chose, and not by whim, Neither too modish nor too nicely prim; Accomplish'd thus by nature and by art, Excelling thus in ev'ry varied part, O may she have a tender, faithful heart. To these may constancy and honor join, And then, ye gracious powers, O make her mine; And if she views me with love's partial eye, With her I e'er could live, with her could die; Nay, the whole business of my life should prove But one endeavor to deserve her love, Our years would in continual blessings flow, And we should almost taste of heaven below.