Note 1335 — Chapter X · RISE OF CIVIL MARRIAGE
Reading edition
Flecknoe's Diarium (1656), 83, contains the following, quoted also by Burn (op. cit., 163), Jeaffreson (op. cit., II, 74, 75), and Friedberg (op. cit., 329):
"On the Justice of Peace's Making Marriages And the Crying Them in the Marcket.
1
Now just as 'twas in Saturn's Reign The Golden Age is returned again And Astrea again from heaven is come When all the Earth by Justice is done.
2
Amongst the rest, we have cause to be glad Now Marriages are in marckets made Since Justice we hope will take order there We may not be cousened no more in our ware
3 and 4
[Indecent stanzas.]
5
So all incommodities would be prevented And every one would hold them contented, And all debates in Marriage would cease When things were done by Justice of Peace.
6
Besides each thing would fall out right And that old Proverb be verified by't That Marriage and Hanging both together When Justice shall have disposing of either.
7 and 8
[Two stanzas with indecent references.]
9
Let Parson and Vicar then say what they will The Custome is good (God continue it still). For Marriage being now a Trafique and Trade Pray where but in Marckets should it be made.
10
Twas well ordain'd they should be no more In Churches and Chapels then as before Since for it in Scripture we have example How buyers and sellers were drov'n out o' th' Temple.
11
Meantime God blesse the Parliament In making this Act so honestly meant Of these good marriages God blesse the breed And God blesse us all, for was never more need."