 | Poems upon several Occasions |  |
The WEDDING-RING,
OR, An Infallible Remedy against Cuckoldom.
A Ballad.
I
Rouze Cuckolds elect, both Ye Old, and Ye Young;Be attentive, and prick up your Ears to my Song,
207
To ease the Brow, and chear the Heart.
CHORUS.
Then all wedded Mortals in Town, or in City,Pray listen a-while, and give Ear to my Ditty.
II
Says the Proverb, Who takes a foul Gypsie to Wife,Does Penance for ever, yet Sins all his Life.
They all will jilt You, but a Beauty
Will most infallibly Cornute Ye;
And He that's entail'd to a Punk that is fair,
Shall ne're want good Plenty of Horns, and much Care.
Cho.
Then all wedded Mortals, &c.208
III
An Artist there was, and he took much DelightThe Devil to paint, and still painted him white.
Old Nick, to shew himself a civil,
Well-bred, obliging, grateful Devil,
Appear'd in a Dream, to bestow some Boon on him,
For all the good Service the Painter had done him.
Then all wedded Mortals, &c.
IV
Quoth Belzebub then, since You paint Me still white all,Let's know of Thee how I may make a Requital.
Now this same Mortal had, I'm told,
A Damsel blithe of Heav'nly Mold:
Wou'd your Devilship grant, he reply'd, that my Luck hold,
And that I may ne're be a Sniv'ling Cuckold.
Then all wedded Mortals, &c.
209
V
'Tis granted, quoth he, and without more DelayHe seem'd on his Finger a Ring to convey;
Whilst This Thou wear'st, Thou canst not be
A Cuckold, Friend, take that from Me;
But if the said Ring be not constantly worn,
Man, nor Devil can't keep Thee from wearing the Horn
Then all wedded Mortals, &c.
VI
This done, little Belzebub nimbly departed;The Painter as nimbly from Pillow up started;
And Circl'd found his Finger soon
In Concave of his Wife's Half-Moon;
Quoth he, to ensure Us of Spouse, when We marry
We always such Rings on our Fingers must carry.
Then all wedded Mortals, &c.
| Poems upon several Occasions | |