The Works of George Crabbe Author:George Crabbe Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE PARISH REGISTER. PART II. MARRIAGES. Previous Consideration necessary: yet not too long Delay—Imprudent Marriage of old Kirk and his Servant—Compar... more »ison between an ancient and youthful Partner to a young Man— Prudence of Donald the Gardener—Parish Wedding: the com- pelled Bridegroom: Day of Marriage, how spent—Relation of the Accomplishments of Phoebe Dawson, a rustic Beauty: her Lover: his Courtship: then- Marriage—Misery of Precipitation —The wealthy Couple: Reluctance in the Husband; why?— Unusually fair Signatures in the Register: the common Kind— Seduction of Lucy Collins by Footman Daniel: her rustic Lover: her Return to him—An ancient Couple: Comparisons on the Occasion—More pleasant View of Village Matrimony: Fanners celebrating the Day of Marriage: their Vives— Reuben and Rachel, a happy Pair: an Example of prudent Delay—Reflections on their State who were not so prudent, and its Improvement towards the Termination of Life: an old Man so circumstanced—Attempt to seduce a Village Beauty: Persuasion and Reply: the Event. PARISH REGISTER. PART II. MARRIAGES. Nubere i qu.V voles, quamvis properabitis ambo. Differ; habent parva? coramoda magna morat. Oi'iil. Fast. lib. iii. Disposed to wed, e'en while you hasten, stay; There's great advantage in a small delay:— Thus Ovid sang, and much the wise approve This prudent maxim of the priest of Love: If poor, delay for future want prepares, And eases humble life of half its cares; If rich, delay shall brace the thoughtful mind, T endure the ills that e'en the happiest find: Delay shall knowledge yield on either part, And show the value of the vanquish'd heart; The humours, passions, merits, failings prove, And gently raise the veil that's worn by Love; Love, that impatient guide I—too proud to thin...« less