On which three wives fucceffively had twin'd 395
A fliding noofe, and waver'd in the wind..
Where grows this plant (reply'd the friend) oh
where?

For better fruit did never orchard bear.

Give me fome flip of this moft blissful tree,
And in my garden planted fhall it be.

400

Then how two wives their lord's deftruction prove Thro' hatred one, and one thro' too much love; That for her husband mix'd a pois'nous draught, And this for luft an am'rous philtre bought : The nimble juice foon feiz'd his giddy head, 405 Frantic at night, and in the morning dead.

How fome with swords their sleeping lords have flain,

And fome have hammer'd nails into their brain, And fome have drench'd them with a deadly potion; All this he read, and read with great devotion. 410 Long time I heard, and fwell'd, and blush'd, and frown'd;

But when no end of these vile tales I found, When still he read, and laugh'd, and read again, And half the night was thus consum'd in vain ; Provok'd to vengeance,three large leaves I tore, 415 And with one buffet fell'd him on the floor.

With that

my husband in a fury rofe,

And down he settled me with hearty blows.

I groan'd, and lay extended on my fide;

Oh! thou haft flain me for my

wealth (Icry'd) 420

laft embrace--

He wept, kind foul! and stoop'd to kiss my face. I took him fuch a box as turn'd him blue,

Then figh'd and cry'd, Adieu, my dear, adieu!

But after many a hearty struggle past,
I condefcended to be pleas'd at last.

Soon as he faid, My mistress and my wife,
Do what you lift, the term of all your life:
I took to heart the merits of the cause,

425

And stood content to rule by wholefome laws; 430
Receiv'd the reins of absolute command,
With all the government of house and land,
And empire o'er his tongue, and o'er his hand.
As for the volume that revil'd the dames,
'Twas torn to fragments, and condemn'd to flames.

434

Now heav'n on all my hufbands gone, beftow Pleasures above, for tortures felt below:

That reft they wish'd for, grant them in the

grave,

And bless those fouls my conduct help'd to fave! SH