were issued, or for their description of costume or of manners. Some of the best and more permanently pleasing of the ancient compositions of this class are here selected, together with a few of the modern songs, which have become popular. WOMEN ARE BEST WHEN THEY ARE AT REST. WOMEN are best when they are at rest; But when is that, I pray? By their good will they are never still, If the weather is bad, all day they gad, And all their gay gear they ruin or near: Then must they chat of this and that; When cometh the night, it is never right, If husbands be weary, they are so merry, Then can they chide, while at their side, 66 Why, how you snore! go lie on the floor." So women are best when they are at rest, Cross them, they chide, and are worse, I have tried, Give them their way, they still say, nay, And change their mind with a trice; Let them alone, or you will own That mine was good advice. THE CUCKOO'S SONG. Anonymous. Originally printed in 1566. FULL merrily sings the cuckoo Your wives you well should look to, Full nine in ten Must be content to wear the horn. Full merrily sings the cuckoo Your wives you well should look to, But now and then Can 'scape to bear the horn away. Full merrily sings the cuckoo Upon the ashen tree; Your wives you well should look to, When married men Must watch the hen, Or some strange fox will steal her soon. Full merrily sings the cuckoo Upon the alder tree; Your wives you well should look to, Must bid good den To such as horns to them do give. Full merrily sings the cuckoo Upon the aspen tree; Your wives you well should look to, If you take advice of me. Cuckoo Cuckoo! alack the night Again and again Must hide their horns in their despite. The reader will notice the resemblance between this song and the following by by Shakespeare-" When Daisies Pied," &c. Probably Shakspeare was indebted to the anonymous author for the idea. WHEN DAISIES PIED. WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. WHEN daisies pied, and violets blue, Do paint the meadows with delight: Cuckoo! cuckoo! O word of fear, When shepherds pipe on oaten straws, And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks: And maidens bleach their summer smocks. Mocks married men for thus sings he:- Cuckoo cuckoo ! O word of fear, THE CHARACTER OF A MARRIED LIFE. SIR HENRY WOOTTON. How happy is he born and taught, That serveth not another's will; And simple thought your honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill. Whose passions not his masters are, Of public fame or private breath. Who envies none that chance doth raise, Who God doth late and early pray More of his grace than gifts to lend: This man is freed from servile hands, THE CONTENTED MAN'S SONG. From HUGH COMPTON'S "Pierides; or the Muses' Mount." I HAVE no riches, neither know I where the mines of silver grow; The golden age I cannot find Yet there is plenty in my mind; 'Tis wealth I crave, 'tis wealth that 1 require, Yet there's no wealth to fill my vain desire, Nor hopes thereof to still my craving lyre. What shall I do in such a case? Both friends and strangers frown on me, Well, let them frown; yet I will not lament Nor value them; though fortune has not lent To me her blessing, yet I am content. WHY SO PALE AND WAN? SIR JOHN SUCKLING. WHY SO pale and wan, fond lover? Will, when looking well can't move her, Prithee, why so pale? Why so dull and mute, young sinner? Will, when speaking well can't win her, Prithee, why so mute? Quit, quit for shame, this will not move, If of herself she will not love, DEATH'S FINAL CONQUEST. JAMES SHIRLEY, born 1594, died 1666. THE glories of our birth and state Are shadows, not substantial things. There is no armour against fate: Death lays his icy hands on kings. Sceptre, and crown, Must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade. Some men with swords may reap the field, Early or late They stoop to fate, And must give up their murmuring breath, |