TH CONTENTS. HE WIFE of BATH, from Chaucer, The first book of STATIUS' THEBAIS, VERTUMNUS and POMONA, from Ovid's meta- 17 On a FAN of the author's defign, in which was painted the ftory of CEPHALIS and ib. The first book of the epiftles of Horace, Ep. I. 138 The first book of the epiftles of Horace, Ep. VI. 150 THE WIFE OF BATH, From CHAUCER. EHOLD the woes of matrimonial life, Band hear with rev'rence an experienc'd wife! To dear-bought wisdom give the credit due, 5 Chrift faw a wedding once, the Scripture fays; And faw but one, 'tis thought, in all his days; 10 Whence fome infer, whofe confcience is too nice, No pious Chriftian ought to marry twice. But let them read, and folve me, if they can, The words addrefs'd to the Samaritan: Five times in lawful wedlock she was join'd; 15 And fure the certain ftint was ne'er defin'd. Increase and multiply, was Heav'n's command, And that's a text I clearly understand. This too, "Let men their fires and mothers leave And to their dearer wives for ever cleave." 20 More wives than one by Solomon were try'd, Or elfe the wifeft of mankind's bely'd. VOL. II, A I've |