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ON THE MARRIAGE OF A BEAUTEOUS YOUNG GENTLEWOMAN WITH AN ANCIENT MAN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fondly, too curious nature, to adorn
Last Line: Did with the fair and straight-limbed elm entwine.
Subject(s): Love - Age Differences


Fondly, too curious Nature, to adorn
Aurora with the blushes of the morn:
Why do her rosy lips breathe gums and spice
Unto the East, and sweet to Paradise?
Why do her eyes open the day? her hand
And voice entrance the panther, and command
Incenséd winds; her breasts, the tents of love,
Smooth as the godded swan or Venus' dove,
Soft as the balmy dew whose every touch
Is pregnant—but why those rich spoils, when such
Wonder and perfection must be led
A bridal captive unto Tithon's bed?Aged and deforméd Tithon! Must thy twine
Circle and blast at once what care and time
Had made for wonder? Must pure beauty have
No other foil but ruin and a grave?
So have I seen the pride of Nature's store,
The orient pearl, chained to the sooty Moor;
So hath the diamond's bright ray been set
In night and wedded to the negro jet.
See, see, how thick those showers of pearl do fall
To weep her ransom or her funeral;
Whose every treasured drop congealed might bring
Freedom and ransom to a fettered king;
While tyrant Wealth stands by, and laughs to see
How he can wed love and antipathy.
Hymen, thy pine burns with adulterate fire.
Thou and thy quivered boy did once conspire
To mingle equal flames, and then no shine
Of gold, but beauty dressed the Paphian shrine.
Roses and lilies kissed; the amorous vine
Did with the fair and straight-limbed elm entwine.





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