THE WIFE OF BATH. FROM CHAUCER. BEHOLD the woes of matrimonial life, 5 I was myself the scourge that caus'd the smart: But let them read, and solve me, if they can, Five times in lawful wedlock she was join'd: 15 And sure the certain stint was ne'er defin'd. "Increase and multiply," was Heav'n's command, And that's a text I clearly understand. This too," Let men their sires and mothers leave, And trust in Heav'n I may have many yet. 20 For when my transitory spouse, unkind, Paul, knowing one could never serve our turn, Declar'd 'twas better far to wed than burn. There's danger in assembling fire and tow; I grant 'em that, and what it means you know. 25 30 "Tis but a counsel--and we women still Take which we like, the counsel, or our will. 35 I envy not their bliss, if he or she Think fit to live in perfect chastity; Pure let them be, and free from taint or vice; Heav'n calls us diff'rent ways, on these bestows 40 Not every man's oblig❜d to sell his store, And give up all his substance to the poor; Such as are perfect, may, I can't deny : Full many a saint, since first the world began, proper body is not his, but mine; For so said Paul, and Paul's a sound divine. 45 50 55 Know then, of those five husbands I have had, Three were just tolerable, two were bad. The three were old, but rich and fond beside, Ye sov❜reign wives! give ear, and understand, 65 70 To lie so boldly as we women can: Forswear the fact, tho' seen with both his eyes, Hark, old Sir Paul! ('twas thus I us'd to say) Whence is our neighbour's wife so rich and gay? 75 Treated, caress'd where'er she's pleas'd to roam I sit in tatters, and immur'd at home. Why to her house dost thou so oft repair? Art thou so am'rous? and is she so fair? If I but see a cousin or a friend, Lord! how you swell, 80 85 If poor (you say), she drains her husband's purse; If rich, she keeps her priest, or something worse; If highly born, intolerably vain, Vapours and pride by turns possess her brain, 90 95 Horses (thou say'st) and asses men may try, 100 And ring suspected vessels ere they buy: But wives, a random choice, untry'd they take, They dream in courtship, but in wedlock wake; Then, nor till then, the veil's remov'd away, And all the woman glares in open day. 105 You tell me, to preserve your wife's good grace, Your eyes must always languish on my face, Your tongue with constant flatt'ries feed my ear, And tag each sentence with, My life! my dear! If by strange chance a modest blush be rais'd, 110 Be sure my fine complexion must be prais'd. My garments always must be new and gay, And feasts still kept upon my wedding-day. Then must my nurse be pleas'd, and fav'rite maid; And endless treats, and endless visits paid, To a long train of kindred friends, allies; All this thou say'st, and all thou say'st, are lies. On Jenkin too you cast a squinting eye: What! can your 'prentice raise your jealousy? 115 Fresh are his ruddy cheeks, his forehead fair, 120 Why are thy chests all lock'd? on what design? If you had wit, you'd say, "Go where you will, 130 I know thee for a virtuous, faithful wife.” Lord! when you have enough, what need you care How merrily soever others fare? Tho' all the day I give and take delight, Doubt not, sufficient will be left at night. "Tis but a just and rational desire, To light a taper at a neighbour's fire. 135 There's danger too, you think, in rich array, 140 And none can long be modest that are gay: The Cat, if you but singe her tabby skin, The chimney keeps, and sits content within ; But once grown sleek, will from her corner run, Sport with her tail and wanton in the sun! She licks her fair round face, and frisks abroad, To shew her fur, and to be catterwaw'd. Lo thus, my friends, I wrought to my desires These three right ancient venerable sires. I told 'em, Thus you say, and thus you do, And told 'em false, but Jenkin swore 'twas true. 145 150 |