 | Poems upon Several Occasions |  |
17
The WIFE.
Let me but have a Wife what e'er she be
So she be Woman, 'tis enough for me:
I ask not one in whom all Graces shine,
Her Sex alone endears her to be mine.
So she be Woman, 'tis enough for me:
I ask not one in whom all Graces shine,
Her Sex alone endears her to be mine.
If she be young, she is not stubborn grown,
And I may form her Manners to my own:
If old, a Wife and Mother both I have,
And either may a Kiss or Blessing crave.
If she be fair, she's lovely as the Light:
If ugly, why? what's matter in the Night?
If she be barren, I am free from Care:
If Fruitful, Children costly Blessings are.
If Poor, she'll Humble, and Obedient be:
If Rich, O! who'd fear golden Slavery?
If Scold she be, she'll teach me Patience:
If Sluttish, I may Temp'rance learn from thence.
If full of Tongue, I shan't want Company:
If mute I'll love her for the Rarity.
I'm Lord and Master, if she be a Fool:
If wise, I shall be so to let her rule.
Unjust are they who 'gainst the Sex declaim,
And I may form her Manners to my own:
If old, a Wife and Mother both I have,
And either may a Kiss or Blessing crave.
If she be fair, she's lovely as the Light:
If ugly, why? what's matter in the Night?
If she be barren, I am free from Care:
If Fruitful, Children costly Blessings are.
If Poor, she'll Humble, and Obedient be:
If Rich, O! who'd fear golden Slavery?
If Scold she be, she'll teach me Patience:
If Sluttish, I may Temp'rance learn from thence.
18
If mute I'll love her for the Rarity.
I'm Lord and Master, if she be a Fool:
If wise, I shall be so to let her rule.
When 'tis not they, but we deserve the blame.
They all are good enough, had we but Skill
The Good in them to take, and leave the Ill.
That Wives and Husbands Humours seldom meet,
'Tis not 'cause they want Goodness, but these, Wit.
| Poems upon Several Occasions | |