Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/288

 150 THE POEMS OF ANNE �RALPH'S REFLECTIONS �Upon the Anniversary of his Wedding �This day, sais Ralpho, I was free, �'Till one unlucky hour And some few mutter' d words by me, Put freedom past my pow'r. �Th' expressions I remember well, �For better or for worse, Till death us part, I take thee Nell, (That is I take a Purse.) �'Tis Gold, must make that Pill go down, The Priest without his Fee, �Nor simple Clerk, but for half-crown Would Execution see. �Rubands, and Gloves, the standers by To patience must encline, �Besides the hopes of a supply Of Bisquits, and of Wine. �The Friends that wait us to our Beds, �(Who could no longer cross itt) But throw our stockins at our heads, Or drown us with a Posset. �Oh ! happy state of human life, �If Mariage be thy best! Poor Ralpho cry'd, yet kiss't his Wife, �And no remorse confess't. �,/fHE UNEQUAL FETTERS �Cou'd we stop the time that's flying Or recall itt when 'tis past ��� �