1 WIFE THE OF BAT H. FROM CHAUCER. BEHOLD the woes of matrimonial life, And hear with rev'rence an experienc'd wife! I was myfelf the fcourge that caus'd the fiart; Chrift faw a wedding once, the fcripture fays, But let them read, and folve me, if they can, ΤΟ Five times in lawful wedlock she was join'd; 15 Encrease and multiply, was heav'n's command This too, "Let men their fires and mothers leave, 20 Or elfe the wifeft of mankind's bely'd, and we women still Take which we like, the counfel, or our will. I envy not their blifs, if he or she Pure let them be, and free from taint of vice; ३० 35 45 Full many a Saint, fince firft the world began, Liv'd an unfpotted Maid, in spite of man: Let fuch (a God's naine) with fine wheat be fed, And let us honeft wives eat barley bread. For me, I'll keep the poft affign'd by heav'n, And use the copious talent it has giv'n: Let my good spouse pay tribute, do me right, And keep an equal reck'ning ev'ry night: 50 His proper body is not his, but mine; Prefents flow'd in apace: with fhow'rs of gold, Ye fov'reign wives! give ear, and understand, 55 65 70 Hark, old Sir Paul! ('twas thus I us'd to fay) Whence is our neighbour's wife fo rich and gay? 75 Treated, carefs'd, where'er fhe's pleas'd to roam I fit in tatters, and immur'd at home. Why to her house doft thou fo oft repair? Art thou fo am'rous? and is fhe fo fair? If I but fee a coufin or a friend, Lord! how you fwell, and rage like any fiend? 80 85 If poor (you fay) fhe drains her husband's purse; Vapours and pride by turns possess her brain, There swims no goose fo grey, but, foon or late, 90 95/ Horfes (thou fay'ft) and affes, men may try, 100 And ring fufpected veffels ere they buy: But wives, a random choice, untry'd they take, They dream in courtship, but in wedlock wake: Then, nor till then, the veil's remov'd away, And all the woman glares in open day. 110 You tell me, to preferve your wife's good grace, 120 On Jenkin too you caft a fquinting eye: What! can your 'prentice raise your jealousy? Fresh are his ruddy cheeks, his forehead fair, And like the burnifh'd gold his curling hair. But clear thy wrinkled brow, and quit thy forrow, I'd fcorn your 'prentice, fhould you die to-morrow. Why are thy chefts all lock'd? on what design? Are not thy worldly goods and treasure mine? 125 Sir, I'm no fool: nor fhall you, by St. John, Have goods and body to yourself alone. 45 One you fhall quit, in fpite of both your eyes I heed nor, I, the bolts, the locks, rhe fpies. If you had wit, you'd fay, "Go where you will, 130 ,,Dear fpoufe, I credit nor the tales they tell: ,,Take all the freedoms of a married life; ,,I know thee for a virtuous, faithful wife." Lord! when you have enough, what need you care How merrily foever others fare? Tho' all the day I give and take delight, Doubt not, fufficient will be left at night. 'Tis but a juft and rational defire, To light a taper at a neighbour's fire. 135 There's danger too, you think, in rich array, 140 And none can long be modeft that are gay. The Cat, if you but finge her tabby fkin, The chimney keeps, and fit content within; But once grown fleek, will from her corner run, Sport with her tail, and wanton in the fun; She licks her fair round face, and frifks abroad, To fhew her furr, and to be catterwaw'd, Lo thus, my friends, I wrought to my defires These three right ancient venerable fires. G S 145 |