The works, in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq In two volumes. With Decorations. The fourth edition |
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Stanzas to the Memory of an agreeable
Lady, buried in Marriage to a Person undeserving her. |
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| II. |
 | The works, in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq |  |
Stanzas to the Memory of an agreeable Lady, buried in Marriage to a Person undeserving her.
'Twas always held, and ever will,
By sage mankind, discreeter,
T'anticipate a lesser ill,
Than undergo a greater.
By sage mankind, discreeter,
T'anticipate a lesser ill,
Than undergo a greater.
When mortals dread diseases, pain,
And languishing conditions;
Who don't the lesser ills sustain
Of physic—and physicians?
And languishing conditions;
Who don't the lesser ills sustain
Of physic—and physicians?
Rather than lose his whole estate,
He that but little wise is,
Full gladly pays four parts in eight
To taxes and excises.
He that but little wise is,
Full gladly pays four parts in eight
To taxes and excises.
Our merchants Spain has near undone
For lost ships not requiting:
This bears our noble k---, to shun
The loss of blood—in fighting!
For lost ships not requiting:
This bears our noble k---, to shun
The loss of blood—in fighting!
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With num'rous ills, in single life,
The bachelor's attended:
Such to avoid, he takes a wife—
And much the case is mended!
The bachelor's attended:
Such to avoid, he takes a wife—
And much the case is mended!
Poor Gratia, in her twentieth year,
Fore-seeing future woe,
Chose to attend a monkey here,
Before an ape below.
Fore-seeing future woe,
Chose to attend a monkey here,
Before an ape below.
| The works, in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq | |