A CONGRATULATORY POEM Upon the Happy Nuptials of the Right Honourable CHARLES HOPE of Hopetoun, And the Very Virtuous LADY HENRIETTA JOHNSTON Daughter to the Right Honourable the Earl of ANNANDALE, Which was Solemnised on the 31st. of August, 1699.  

IN Autumn when Sedges decores the Fields,  
And Phoebus all plentiful Desires yields.  
These Creatures who did formerly bewail  
Their hard Estate, sing now in Annandale,  
There's Hope that Heavens will crown the year with good  
And Hoptoun blest with all manner of Food.  
Whilst Sun and Moon endure, so that there may  
Never be Want of Hope that Grace decay.  
For 'tis by Hope, That Love and Charity  
Are still upheld, without it both do die.  
May Hoptoun flourish still with Lady Hen-  
Rietta, and have a Stock of good Children.  
That through all Ages, there may never fail  
The Memory of Hope and Annandale.  
Whose Noble Fame doth add to Hopton's Honour,  
He being by good Fate bestowed upon Her.  
Who like to Flora in Spring of the Year,  
Sends forth a Fragrant Smell both far and near,  
To the Solace of all that See or Hear.  
Of these choice Virtues wherewith her tender Breast  
Is richly endued wherein true Hope doth rest,  
And full Assurance may always obtain  
Of human Pleasure, Beauty pure and clean.  
Her Noble Predecessors ever have  
Proved in all Ages Pious, Wise and Grave,  
And famous in such actions as might tend  
Their country's Good, and Interest to defend.  
So, all who know the Bridegroom and the Bride,  
Hope they will prove in time (if Good betid)  
Which is the hearty Prayer of Muses, when  
They are encouraged Virtue's Praise to pen.  
But if they find their Labour quite neglected,  
To pray or praise they cease, being dejected.  
Yet still there's Hope they may revive again,  
And not always improve their time in vain.   
FINIS.