The Shamrock or, Hibernian Cresses. A Collection of Poems, Songs, Epigrams, &c. Latin as well as English, The Original Production of Ireland. To which are subjoined thoughts on the prevailing system of school education, respecting young ladies as well as gentlemen: with practical proposals for a reformation [by Samuel Whyte] |
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THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND. WRITTEN BY A YOUNG LADY.
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 | The Shamrock |  |
161
THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND. WRITTEN BY A YOUNG LADY.
Inscribed to Miss COOPER.
You ask, if the Thing to my Choice were submitted,
You ask how I'd wish in a Man to be fitted?
I'll answer you freely, but beg you to mind him,
Your Friendship, perhaps, may assist me to find him.
You ask how I'd wish in a Man to be fitted?
I'll answer you freely, but beg you to mind him,
Your Friendship, perhaps, may assist me to find him.
His Age, and Condition shall first be consider'd—
The Rose on his Cheek should be blown, but not wither'd;
He should be, then—but, hark ye! a Word in your Ear,
Don't you think Five-and-twenty would fit to a Hair?
The Rose on his Cheek should be blown, but not wither'd;
He should be, then—but, hark ye! a Word in your Ear,
Don't you think Five-and-twenty would fit to a Hair?
His Fortune, from Debts and Incumbrances clear,
Unsaddled with Jointures, a Thousand a Year:
Though, to shew you, at once, my good Sense, and good Nature,
I'd not quarrel much, should it chance to be greater.
Unsaddled with Jointures, a Thousand a Year:
Though, to shew you, at once, my good Sense, and good Nature,
I'd not quarrel much, should it chance to be greater.
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The Qualities, next, of his Heart, and his Head—
Good-natur'd, and friendly, sincere, and well-bred;
With Wit, when he pleas'd, on all Subjects to shine,
And Sense, not too great to set Value on mine:
Good-natur'd, and friendly, sincere, and well-bred;
With Wit, when he pleas'd, on all Subjects to shine,
And Sense, not too great to set Value on mine:
His Learning, and Judgement, shou'd seldom appear;
And his Courage be shewn, but when Danger is near;
With an Eye, that can melt at another Man's Woe;
A Heart, to forgive; and a Hand, to bestow.
And his Courage be shewn, but when Danger is near;
With an Eye, that can melt at another Man's Woe;
A Heart, to forgive; and a Hand, to bestow.
No Coxcomb who boasts of his Knowledge, or Arts;
Nor stiff with his Learning, nor proud of his Parts;
No dull, solemn Blockhead, who 'd fain be thought wise;
For, a Fool I detest, and a Fop I despise.
Nor stiff with his Learning, nor proud of his Parts;
No dull, solemn Blockhead, who 'd fain be thought wise;
For, a Fool I detest, and a Fop I despise.
Thus I've try'd to mark out, in these whimsreal Lays,
The Partner I wish for the Rest of my Days:
Go find out the Lad that is form'd to my Plan;
And, him I will marry—I mean if I can.
The Partner I wish for the Rest of my Days:
Go find out the Lad that is form'd to my Plan;
And, him I will marry—I mean if I can.
But, if it should chance—there's a Proverb, you know,
That Marriage, and Hanging, by Destiny go—
Should it happen that Fate has some other in Store,
The Reverse of the Picture I gave you before,
That Marriage, and Hanging, by Destiny go—
Should it happen that Fate has some other in Store,
The Reverse of the Picture I gave you before,
Should I chance to be curst with a Fop, or a Fool,
Too perverse to be rul'd, yet too silly to rule,
What, then, could be done?—Without fighting, or arguing,
I think I would e'en make the best of my Bargain:
Too perverse to be rul'd, yet too silly to rule,
What, then, could be done?—Without fighting, or arguing,
I think I would e'en make the best of my Bargain:
I'd sit down content with the Lot that was mine,
And, though I might smart, yet I would not repine.—
You may laugh, if you please: But I 'll swear that I would
Do all I have told you—I mean if I could.
And, though I might smart, yet I would not repine.—
You may laugh, if you please: But I 'll swear that I would
Do all I have told you—I mean if I could.
| The Shamrock | |