University of Virginia Library

PROVERBS, Chap. xxxi. Verse 10.

Illustrious Fair, to virtue all inclin'd,
Thrice happy he that such an one doth find.
The gold of Ophir, and the coral fine;
The topaz, and the silver from the mine;
Onix, rich rubies, were they ne'er so rise,
Are all inferior to a virtuous wife.
In her the husband placeth all his trust,
Because he knows she cannot be unjust.
He needs not spoil, for she procures him all;
Whate'er he wants is at his nod or call.
She does him good; when he surveys her charms,
The sparks of love that's in his bosom warms.
Where virtue lives, true constant love attend,
And holds for certain to the latter end.
She seeketh wool; she seeketh flax; of both
She makes all sorts of necessary cloth.
Nay, unconstrain'd, her hands she doth apply
To constant labour, working chearfully.
Like to the ships where merchants traders are,
She brings her food and living from afar.
She riseth early, ere the day come in,
And calleth up her serving-maids to spin.
At mail-time she is careful still to give
To each a portion whereupon to live.
Well knew she what incessant labour yield;
She sums her product; then she buys a field.
Behold the genial vines upright do stand,
In order rang'd by her successful hand,
Indulgent Heaven such durence deigns to crown;
Each virtuous step computes her high renown.
She girds her loins, hard labour to endure,
And states her progress by her growing store.
She tastes the sweets of this laborious run,
And fingers profit at a borrow'd sun.
Distaff and spindle she alternate moves;
They speak her actions, and she still improves.
With pitying eyes she views the starving race;
Like Heav'n she's free, impartial in her grace.
With open hands unfolds her gen'rous care;
Exactly knows both when to give, and where.
From northern coasts the chilling colds may blow,
And crust the fields with glazing ice and snow.
She scorns the storm's tumultuous parade;
With finest scarlet all her house are clad.
Of tapestry rich coverings she makes;
Pure silk and purple for her clothes she takes
Her husband's known among the elders, when
He's in the gates, or walks the street with men.
She makes fine linen, clean and purely drest,
To foreign merchants, from the East and West,
She selleth it, gives girdles of the same;
They through their land spread her deserving fame.
Incompass'd round with servants, valiantly
They keep and guard her from all injury.
Cloath'd as it were with strength and honour, she
Shall still rejoice in her felicitie.
And when she speaks, her wisdom is display'd
With more applause than the Tritonian maid.
She acts and speaks with such a modest grace,
A law of kindness from her mouth doth pass.
Affairs at home she carefully inspects;
Her serving-maids she cautions and directs,
Wool how to order, how the flax to dress.
She eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children's 'tentive; when she calls they fly;
All her commands run swiftly to obey.
Her children rise, and her they blessed call;
Her husband also, and they praise her all.
She's virtuous unto whom all standers by
This ancient Motto truly can apply,
Full many daughters have done virtuouslie;
Yet there is none but what's excell'd by thee.
Favour's deceitful; Beauty is but vain;
But she alone that fears the Lord shall gain
Peace, riches, honour, joy and friendship all,
As fruits that from her blessed hands do fall.
Give her thereof, and these shall make her great;
Yea, her own works shall praise her in the gate.