 | Poems, Songs and Love-Verses |  |
On a Wife.
Out, or I burst! VVhat damn'd confounded spellMade Orpheus run to fetch a VVife from Hell?
VVhat was it mov'd that madness in his Breast?
He by a Legion surely was possest
Of master-Devils. Had he lov'd the Pox,
And all the Plagues were in Pandora's Box,
Embrac'd all Vice, though loathsom and impure,
Heaven might in pitty yet afford a Cure.
But when they come to that licentious life,
To sawn, and hug, and doat upon a VVife,
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They may, like Judas, go and hang themselves.
Had Adam ne're seen Eve for to entice,
He doubtless yet had liv'd in Paradise.
That curs'd Satanick Engin, not content
To damn her self to endless punishment,
Intic'd our Father Adam for to eat
The fruit of Life, and Death-inflicting meat.
And ever since each cursed Jezabel
Has led her Husband the right way to Hell.
O rare advice to Job! why dost retain
Thy foolish Righteousness so long in vain!
Lo, the reward of all thy Piety!
Take thy Wife's Counsel, curse thy God and dye.
Counsel so good, who coud not chuse but take,
Though not for Hells, yet for his poor Wifes sake?
Damn'd Monster, cou'dst thou find no other way
Than this, thy righteous Husband to betray?
Can e're a Man expect a moments rest,
That hugs so curst a Viper in his Breast.
Woman brings VVo, 'tis true, her very Name
An adjunct is of Sorrow unto man;
Let her be fair or foul, airy or dull,
Peevish or pleasant, kind or unnatural;
She's but the Devils bait for to trepan
Poor, fond, uxorious, and silly Man.
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